Sri Lanka (SL) vs Zimbabwe (ZIM) T20 World Cup 2026 higlights: Sri Lanka opted to bat first in their last group-stage match against Zimbabwe at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo
In another timeline, perhaps, the setting of this contest could have likely been starkly different. However, when hosts Sri Lanka step out to meet Zimbabwe in their final Group B match, both teams will ooze the confidence of having secured positions of Super 8 qualification after wiping out the Australian threat on the way. That’s a giant-sized achievement already in their respective campaigns and the fruits of building on it will likely begin today before the last-eight stage begins over the weekend.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup – Live Cricket Score, Full Scorecard
Sri Lanka’s classy takedown of Australia amidst a wave of injuries was a stellar watch, led admirably by opener Pathum Nissanka’s century. As for the Zimbabweans, Sikandar Raza’s well-oiled unit have come out firing together and there will be a few areas that will need attention today.
SCROLL BELOW FOR UPDATES FROM SL VS ZIM MATCH
Match EndedICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026 - Match 38Sri Lanka
178/7 (20.0)vsZimbabwe
182/4 (19.3)Match Ended ( Match 38 )
Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets
There is the result Zimbabwe has registered their highest successful run-chase in their World Cup history. It did look a bit tricky around the 10th over mark, but post that, Raza came in and played a superb cameo to take Zimbabwe closer. Bennet, who is on a purple patch, played a splendid innings yet again today. That's it from us for today. Folks, do join us tomorrow.
That is a game-changing over of sorts from Hemantha. He has managed to pick up two wickets in that over. He first got Sikandar Raza, and then Musikewa skied one in the air, which was taken by Shanaka at long-off boundary, who ran and took a lovely catch.
50 for Bennett here, brilliant innings from the batter. He has looked to play an anchor in the role right from ball one, and he is doing it pretty well here in the middle. Intially it was Burl who played gem of an innings and now Raza is supporting him superbly. He will play an important role going into the Super Eight for Zimbabwe.
This is a nice cameo from Raza here in the middle; he is getting a few underneath his bat and slamming them across the boundary ropes for sixes. His innings are pulling back things here and putting the run-rate under control. It does seem like we have a humdinger on our hands.
Bennet has played well here; he is slowly starting to accelerate. It does seem like his role is defined in this team to play the anchor role, and batters around him will anchor. Raza is the new batter in, and he will need to play till the end if Zimbabwe has to win this game from here on.
Burl has started well here. They need the injection of momentum here, in Zimbabwe. Although they had a good foundation, the run-rate was lingering a bit for Zimbabwe. However, as we update, Ryan Burl has fallen here. Shanaka pitched the ball short, and the top-edge took the ball high in the air, and square-leg took the catch.
Muramani is the first wicket to fall here. It was on the slower side, and the batter tried to hit it over the top and ended up giving the catch to Wellalage. That is a nice wicket for Sri Lanka under the circumstances; both the Zimbabwe openers were taking the game away from Sri Lanka here.
They have laid a good foundation here did the Zimbabwe batters and one of them need to start accelerating from here on so that they can keep up with the run-chase. And mind you, Sri Lanka does not have Hasaranga in the side, which will be a massive advantage for Zimbabwe in the middle overs.
Marumani and Bennett continue the opening partnership here. They have batted well, but they have not exactly run away with the game. Theekshana is the lone mystery spinner in this attack, and both Marumani and Bennett will be hoping to see him through and try to attack other bowlers in the attack.
This is a good start from Zimbabwe; both the openers, Marumani and Benett, have started well. For the runs, they are looking to chase 179. They will need a good powerplay espically considering the size of the boundaries here in Colombo. Sri Lanka will need to pick up a few wickets here.
We are done with the opening over, and Madhushanka kept pitching the ball up, looking for a swing in that over, and there was not a lot on offer. The ball was going in straight lines, and Benett and Marumani, who are in the middle, should be looking to lay a good foundation for Zimbabwe first up.
Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan
178 runs is what Sri Lanka has got here, which is a pretty decent total for this surface. However, Zimbabwe, if they bat sensibly and apply themselves, will be able to beat Sri Lanka. A word on Pathum Nissanka, who has played well here again today. Do join us after the break with the chase.
Evans has picked up two wickets here. The stage was set up nicely for them by Nissanka, but in the last 10-15 minutes or so, they have lost their way a bit. Dunith Wellalage is the batter who is in the middle, and he will be looking to squeeze a few runs here and finish strongly for Zimbabwe.
Dasun Shanaka has fallen here. He can be a pretty dangerous player in these situations, but the Sri Lankan skipper, but his wicket will definitely help Zimbabwe with 10-15 runs here. It has been a stunning spell from Muzarambani, yet again he bowled pretty well today.
It has gotten a bit grey here in Colombo, and there is a steady breeze blowing across the ground. It will be interesting to see what a good score on this surface is. It is one of those venues, or generally those in the subcontinent, that play well under lights, hence Zimbabwe might get better conditions.
Pathum Nissanka tried to reverse-sweep against leg-spinner Creamer and ended up giving a catch to the fine-leg fielder there. That is a big wicket for Sri Lanka, just when Sri Lanka are looking to apply acceleration, another wicket has fallen. Kamindu Mendis is the new man in.
Ryan Burl into the attack
A ripper! Burl strikes with his first ball. A ripping leg-break. Dip and turn from the perfect spot and Mendis is lured into the trap. He drags his foot out and Marumani smashes the bails in a flash. Pavan Rathnayake is in at 4. That will hurt the keeper. Marumani is down after a bottom-edge off Rathnayake's bat jumps up to hit him somewhere around his throat.
Kusal Mendis st †Marumani b Burl 14 (20b)
SL 105/2 in 13 overs
Superb running from Perera and Mendis as they continue to pick the gaps. Back-to-back twos against Masakadaza off the first two deliveries and they've shored up the pressure already. Change of pace and Mendis chips a ball down to long-off for a single. 100 up for SL at the end of the over.
SL 100/1 in 12 overs
Nissanka and Kusal turn on the heat with their quick running against Raza. The Zimbabwe skipper continues to fire in the balls onto the stumps and the experienced batting pair has neutralised him with some risk-free running.
SL 93/1 in 11 overs
Short and onto the pads from Cremer and Nissanka smears it through square-leg for FOUR. Floated up outside off-stump and Nissanka gracefully lofts it over extra cover for two runs. A neat effort from Ryan Burl in the deep denies a boundary. FIFTY off 34 balls for Nissanka as he continues from the Kandy surge with another solid knock. Fuller outside off-stump and Nissanka gets a faint edge to trickle past short third for another FOUR!
SL 86/1 in 10 overs
And Zimbabwe continue to fiddle through the bowlers. Masakadza returns as they continue to the attack the stumps. Not a lot on offer and Nissanka misses out on a rare loosener. Just the four runs from yet another over.
SL 74/1 in 9 overs
Graeme Cremer into the attack
Excellent subtleties in pace by the spinners and Cremer keeps it tight around the stumps with slower deliveries through the air. Mendis and Nissanka keep themselves even without the boundaries.
SL 70/1 in 8 overs
Raza returns
Raza darts through a tight over. Neat lines and attacking lengths and the batters tread through a diet of singles. SL 66/1 in 7 overs
Evans with another loosener and Nissanka cheekily slices it past the short third for FOUR. What happened there? Evans pulls out of his run-up off the very last moment as his foot gets stuck in a hole on the field. A considerable break as the groundstaff work on it. What an effort! Evans slings one in and the ball lobs back towards the bowler. Evans puts in a full-length dive to his right but cannot get his fingers on the ball. A superb Powerplay for the Lankans, with over 10 rpo.
SL 61/1 in 6 overs
Change of ends for Muzarabani.
Muzarabani comes around the stumps and sends down another short ball and Perera hammers him through mid-wicket for another FOUR, FIFTY up for SL in no time! A slew of singles to follow. Muzarabani to Perera, OUT! Straight to the fielder. Perera's been iffy with those pulls throughout and the change of pace with the inward angle does the trick. Perera sheepishly steers the short ball straight to short fine and Zimbabwe dismantly a fiery partnership.
Kusal Perera c Cremer b Muzarabani 22 (14b 4x4)
SL 54/1 in 5 overs
Brad Evans replaces Muzarabani
Poor start for Evan as he slides one down leg and Nissanka easily taps it down leg for FOUR. Shot! Short ball and Nissanka stands up and biffs it through mid-wicket for another FOUR. A couple of singles to follow. Perera continues to struggle with his timing with the horizontal shots as he gets away with a leg-bye. Width again and Nissanka scythes the ball over backward point for FOUR this time.
SL 46/0 in 4 overs
Wellington Masakadza into the attack
Brisk start from Nissanka as he gets a top-edge on the paddle for FOUR. A couple of singles to follow. A gentle wafter from the leg-spinner and Nissanka unleashes a fierce sweep shot for FOUR.
SL 32/0 in 3 overs
Blessing Muzarabani into the attack
Extra bounce for Muzarabani as he gets one to rear back from length, hitting Perera on his waist. Fraction loose and Perera whips it through mid-wicket for FOUR. Another delivery on length and Perera miscues the slog, the leading edge harmlessly lobbing over the circle for two runs. Another poorly timed shot as Muzarabani's short ball forces Perera too early into the pull, the ball pinging off the bottom of the bat. Perera makes room and slashes another ball down leg for FOUR.
SL 22/0 in 2 overs
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera walk out even as glum skies engulf the region. A strong crowd is in place and visuals show more outside the stadium, waiting to get in. It will be spin to start proceedings. Sikandar Raza takes the ball himself, with Nissanka on strike.
A loosener onto the pads and Raza gets away with this as Nissanka sweeps it to the short fine fielder. Shorter delivery and Nissanka swats it to wide long-on and reels in two rus. Slower on length and Nissanka tucks it to square for a single. FOUR to open the account for Perera as he waits on the backfoot to tap Raza through cover-point. Similar length and he slaps it to point for a single. Busy start here for the openers. A single to end the over.
SL 9/0 in 1 over
The players line up for the national anthems. Sri Lanka are keen to test their strengths and iron out the chinks while Zimbabwe captain Raza seemed pretty keen to rack up another win this evening.
Aaron Finch and Russel Arnold assess the pitch: It’s been cool, but down in Colombo it is hot and humid. Let’s have a look at the boundary dimensions first - 71 metres to my left, 76 metres to my right, and a monstrous 82 metres straight down the ground. There’s a bit of grass on offer, which tells me it could be slightly sluggish. What’s interesting is the lengths that have been effective for spinners across the three venues here in Sri Lanka. At the SSC and Pallekele, spinners have bowled slightly fuller because there’s more pace and bounce. But here at the R. Premadasa Stadium, with the pink ball, the effective length is slightly shorter. The ball stays lower and tends to skid through, which makes it harder to get underneath. Scoring runs here isn’t about taking the fielders on - it’s about hitting the gaps and running the opposition ragged. You can still get to around 170, which is a score that really puts the opposition under pressure
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka
Zimbabwe XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani
TOSS: Sri Lanka win the toss, opt to bat first
After decades of turbulence and resilience, Zimbabwe deserved the slice of fortune that had evaded them through their cricketing journey this century. The washout in Pallekele meant they qualified for the Super Eights of the ICC T20 World Cup, their biggest achievement since making the Super Six at the 1999 ODI World Cup.
But the feat has deeper meaning and wider ramification. It’s a moment of catharsis for several generations of Zimbabwean crickets; it’s a fillip for the sport itself that Zimbabwe is reacquainting with the old giant-slaying habits that once made them equally feared and loved. Read Sandip G's story on Zimbabwe's comeback
SL predicted XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan
ZIM predicted XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
Fittingly, his name means “hope” in Sinhala. On Monday, Pathum Nissanka became more than hope when he floored Australia to power Sri Lanka to a famous win and secure their Super 8 berth. Read Sriram Veera's piece on the story of Nissanka's discovery
Zimbabwe Squad: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Ben Curran, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Kamil Mishara, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pramod Madushan
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the Sri Lanka-Zimbabwe Group B contest from Colombo. Now, how many of would have passed a punt on this combination of teams to have made it through from a group that also included former champions Australia? Well the group stages in Sri Lanka have been a topsy-turvy ride and both the Lankans and Chevrons will be stepping out to firm up their combinations before the Super 8s tonight.
Zimbabwe Squad: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Ben Curran, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Kamil Mishara, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pramod Madushan
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the Sri Lanka-Zimbabwe Group B contest from Colombo. Now, how many of would have passed a punt on this combination of teams to have made it through from a group that also included former champions Australia? Well the group stages in Sri Lanka have been a topsy-turvy ride and both the Lankans and Chevrons will be stepping out to firm up their combinations before the Super 8s tonight.
There is a particular kind of quiet confidence that comes from having done the work. Not the loud, chest-beating kind. The settled kind. The kind that lets a team land in a host nation, endure gruelling back-to-back bus journeys across the country, and still walk onto a cricket field knowing exactly who they are and what they are capable of.
That is the Zimbabwe that has emerged from the group stage of this T20 World Cup. READ MORE
Stay updated with the latest sports news across Cricket, Football, Chess, and more. Catch all the action with real-time live cricket score updates and in-depth coverage of ongoing matches.
