Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Brian Bennett-Sikandar Raza Power ZIM To 6-Wicket Win Over Hosts

Hello and welcome back to our live blog as Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe. Stay tuned for all the live updates from this clash.

• Fixture: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe

• Series: ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Group B Match 38

• Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

• Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026

• Time: 3:00 PM IST

The Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India and streamed online on the Jio Hotstar app and website.

Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are both qualified for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8. Sri Lanka are in Group 2 with New Zealand, Pakistan and England. Zimbabwe are in Group 1 with India, South Africa and West Indies.

Matches Played: 11

Sri Lanka Won: 8

Zimbabwe Won: 3

No Result: 0

For the Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match today at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the weather is currently cloudy with a temperature of 29°C, 64% humidity, and an 8 mph wind from the north. The daily forecast predicts a high of 31°C and a low of 24°C, with scattered thunderstorms expected during the day and a 55% chance of rain.

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani

Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka have got SL off to a decent in a dead rubber. Though this game holds no significance in terms of Super 8 qualification, yet both teams would like to give it their best shot as they would like to enter the next round with a winning momentum.

SL 20/0 (2)

Out! The first wicket is done and Blessing Muzarabani is the bowler, who gets the first breakthrough for Zimbabwe. Muzarabani gets Kusal Perera caught for 22 off 14 balls. However, he did a good job, giving his team a solid start in the powerplay.

SL 54/1 (5)

Pathum Nissanka carries on his rich vein of form and backs century with a blistering 34-ball half-century. Sri Lanka are currently cruising and the top three batters have build a solid base needed to post a big score on the board.

SL 86/1 (10)

Out! That's a timely wicket for Zimbabwe, as Ryan Burl deceives wicket-keeper batter Kusal Mendis and gets his stumped for 14 off 20 balls. Mendis looked out of touch throughout the innings and evenutally departs to a beautiful leg spinner.

SL 100/2 (12.1)

Another wicket! That's a big blow for Sri Lanka as their premier batter Pathum Nissanka heads back to the pavilion after making a well-crafted 62 off 41 deliveries. Graeme Cremer is the bowler, who got the priced wicket for his team and Zimbabwe are gradually clawing their way back into the game.

SL 108/3 (13.4)

The Sri Lankan innings is suddenly dwindling with back-to-back wickets. Kamindu Mendis is the last batter to depart as Graeme Cremer gets his 2nd wicket of the match. The spinners have brought ZIM back in the game.

SL 127/4 (16)

Zimbabwe did exceedingly well to pull back things in the middle order but Dunith Wellalage smashed Blessing Muzarabani for three fours in the last over to take Sri Lanka to 178 in 20 overs. Pathun Nissanka was the highest scorer for the hosts with a bliserting 62 off 41 balls.

SL 178/7 (20)

Zimbabwe openers - Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani got their team off to a cautious start to the chase of 178. The openers play a crucial role, if ZIM wants to stay in the chase.

ZIM 3/0 (1)

Till now Zimbabwe openers have tackled the Sri Lankan bowlers. Though they haven't got off to a blinder but still not losing wickets and maintaining a run-rate of more than 7 is a good sign, and they can explode any time in the middle phase, if they pick the bowls well with the wickets slowing down.

ZIM 29/0 (4)

Zimbabwe openers - Brian Bennet (24*) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (27*) have been exceptional in the powerplay, scoring at a run-rate of more than 9 per over without losing any wicket. However, the real tests start now as the field spreads and the ball gets a bit softer.

ZIM 55/0 (6)

In the air and gone! Tadiwanashe Marumani goes back for 27 off 17 balls after providing a solid start to Zimbabwe. Dunith Wellalage is the bowler, who got the first breakthrough for Sri Lanka. Ryan Burl joins Bennett on the crease.

ZIM 73/1 (9)

Out! Zimbabwe lose their 2nd wicket in the form of Ryan Burl, who departs after playing a blazing short knock of 23 off 12 balls. However, it's still a timely wicket for SL as they still need 78 off 48 balls.

ZIM 101/2 (12)

The chase is on as Zimbabwean skipper Sikandar Raza (23*) takes on Dushan Hemantha with two sixes and a four for 20 runs in the over. The pressure shifts to SL, as ZIM now need 45 runs off 30 balls to win.

ZIM 134/2 (15)

Since Sikandar Raza got out after scoring 45 off 26 balls, Sri Lanka managed to pull back, leaving 8 from the last over.

Tony Munyonga smashed six off the first ball to bring the equation to 2 from 5 balls.

The next ball goes for a single and the match is now tied. The match is NOW in ZIM's grip.

Brian Bennett smashes the fourth ball for a boundary to win it for his team and with it ZIM chase 179 to win the match by 6 wickets with 3 balls to spare.

That's a wrap from our end. We'll be back soon with another blog soon, until then, bye bye.