Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match Scorecard highlights an exciting ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash on 19 February 2026 in Colombo. Sri Lanka scored 178/7 in 20 overs, with Pathum Nissanka making 62 runs and Pavan Rathnayake adding 44. In reply, Zimbabwe chased the target successfully, scoring 182/4 in 19.3 overs to win by six wickets. Brian Bennett remained unbeaten on 63, while captain Sikandar Raza contributed 45 runs off 26 balls and was named Player of the Match. Zimbabwe’s strong partnerships and aggressive batting proved decisive in this thrilling contest.
Disclaimer: This article covers the completed Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Match figures are checked against the supplied scorecard and published match records. Tournament standings and broadcast availability may change over time.
Match Overview: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match | 38th Match, Group B |
| Date | 19 February 2026 |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Toss | Sri Lanka won and chose to bat |
| Sri Lanka’s total | 178/7 in 20 overs |
| Zimbabwe’s total | 182/4 in 19.3 overs |
| Result | Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Sikandar Raza |
| Highest scorer for Sri Lanka | Pathum Nissanka — 62 |
| Highest scorer for Zimbabwe | Brian Bennett — 63 not out |
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match Scorecard shows how closely the two sides competed. Sri Lanka put a strong total on the board, but Zimbabwe’s batters responded with a well-planned chase.
Sri Lanka Batting Scorecard: 178/7 in 20 Overs
Sri Lanka chose to bat first after winning the toss. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera gave the hosts a positive start. Nissanka then led the scoring with a fine half-century, while Pavan Rathnayake added quick runs in the middle overs.
However, Zimbabwe’s bowlers kept taking wickets and stopped Sri Lanka from building an even bigger total.
Complete Sri Lanka batting scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | c Tony Munyonga b Graeme Cremer | 62 | 41 | 8 | 0 | 151.22 |
| Kusal Perera | c Graeme Cremer b Blessing Muzarabani | 22 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 157.14 |
| Kusal Mendis (wk) | st Tadiwanashe Marumani b Ryan Burl | 14 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 70.00 |
| Pavan Rathnayake | c Graeme Cremer b Brad Evans | 44 | 25 | 3 | 2 | 176.00 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c and b Graeme Cremer | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Dasun Shanaka (c) | c Tashinga Musekiwa b Blessing Muzarabani | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Dunith Wellalage | Not out | 15 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 187.50 |
| Dushan Hemantha | c Ryan Burl b Brad Evans | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Not out | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Extras | 3 leg byes, 4 wides, 1 no-ball | 8 | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 7 wickets in 20 overs | 178 | — | — | — | 8.90 RPO |
Did not bat: Dilshan Madushanka and Pramod Madushan.
Source: Cricbuzz match scorecard. The strike rate for Maheesh Theekshana is shown as a dash because he faced no balls.
Who performed best for Sri Lanka?
Pathum Nissanka — 62 runs off 41 balls
Nissanka was Sri Lanka’s leading scorer. His eight fours helped the hosts build a solid foundation. He maintained a healthy scoring rate and gave the middle order a good platform.
Pavan Rathnayake — 44 runs off 25 balls
Rathnayake provided the attacking push Sri Lanka needed. He hit three fours and two sixes, scoring at a strike rate of 176.00. His innings helped Sri Lanka move towards a competitive total.
Dunith Wellalage — 15 not out off 8 balls
Wellalage added useful runs at the end. His three boundaries helped Sri Lanka finish with 178 runs.
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match Scorecard also highlights Zimbabwe’s ability to take wickets at important moments. Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans each took two wickets, while Ryan Burl claimed one.
Zimbabwe Bowling Scorecard
Zimbabwe’s bowling attack played an important role in keeping Sri Lanka below 180. Cremer controlled the middle overs, while Muzarabani and Evans took important wickets. Burl also dismissed Kusal Mendis.
Complete Zimbabwe bowling scorecard
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | NB | WD | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sikandar Raza (c) | 4 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9.00 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 4 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9.50 |
| Wellington Masakadza | 3 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7.70 |
| Brad Evans | 3 | 0 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11.70 |
| Graeme Cremer | 4 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6.80 |
| Ryan Burl | 2 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8.00 |
O = overs, M = maiden overs, R = runs conceded, W = wickets, NB = no-balls, WD = wides, ECO = economy rate. Economy figures are shown as provided in the supplied scorecard.
Cremer’s figures of 2/27 were particularly valuable. He kept the scoring under control while taking two wickets. Muzarabani and Evans also made key breakthroughs, preventing Sri Lanka from building a big finish.
Zimbabwe Batting Scorecard: 182/4 in 19.3 Overs
Zimbabwe needed 179 runs to win. Brian Bennett anchored the chase, while Tadiwanashe Marumani helped build an opening partnership. Ryan Burl increased the scoring rate, and captain Sikandar Raza brought the attack needed to put Zimbabwe in control.
Tony Munyonga then added a quick unbeaten eight runs from just three balls as Zimbabwe completed the chase.
Complete Zimbabwe batting scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | Not out | 63 | 48 | 8 | 0 | 131.25 |
| Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk) | c and b Dunith Wellalage | 34 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 130.77 |
| Ryan Burl | c Kusal Perera b Dasun Shanaka | 23 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 191.67 |
| Sikandar Raza (c) | c Dasun Shanaka b Dushan Hemantha | 45 | 26 | 2 | 4 | 173.08 |
| Tashinga Musekiwa | c Dasun Shanaka b Dushan Hemantha | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Tony Munyonga | Not out | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 266.67 |
| Extras | 3 leg byes, 5 wides | 8 | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 4 wickets in 19.3 overs | 182 | — | — | — | 9.33 RPO |
Did not bat: Dion Myers, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer and Blessing Muzarabani.
Source: Cricbuzz match scorecard.
Zimbabwe’s match-winning batters
Brian Bennett — 63 not out off 48 balls
Bennett played a calm and effective innings. His eight fours helped Zimbabwe maintain their scoring rate without taking unnecessary risks. He remained unbeaten and struck the boundary that sealed the win.
Tadiwanashe Marumani — 34 off 26 balls
Marumani helped Zimbabwe get off to a good start. His partnership with Bennett added 69 runs for the first wicket, giving the visitors a strong foundation.
Ryan Burl — 23 off 12 balls
Burl attacked from the start. His quick innings included two fours and one six, helping Zimbabwe keep up with the required rate.
Sikandar Raza — 45 off 26 balls
Raza was the main aggressor in the middle order. He hit four sixes and two fours, scoring at a strike rate of 173.08. His innings put Sri Lanka’s bowlers under pressure and earned him the Player of the Match award.
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match Scorecard makes the difference clear: Bennett supplied stability, while Raza provided power. Both roles were vital to the successful chase.
Sri Lanka Bowling Scorecard
Sri Lanka took four wickets during Zimbabwe’s innings, but the bowlers struggled to stop the scoring at key stages. Dushan Hemantha claimed two wickets, while Dasun Shanaka and Dunith Wellalage took one each.
Complete Sri Lanka bowling scorecard
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | NB | WD | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dilshan Madushanka | 3 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6.70 |
| Pramod Madushan | 2 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11.50 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 3.3 | 0 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13.40 |
| Dasun Shanaka (c) | 3 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8.70 |
| Dushan Hemantha | 4 | 0 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9.00 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 4 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6.80 |
Source: Cricbuzz match scorecard. Bowling figures include the supplied no-ball and wide columns.
Wellalage was Sri Lanka’s most economical bowler among those who completed four overs, conceding 27 runs and taking one wicket. Hemantha also made an impact with two wickets, including Raza’s dismissal.
The biggest challenge for Sri Lanka was Theekshana’s spell, which cost 47 runs in 3.3 overs. Zimbabwe attacked effectively during the closing stages, leaving Sri Lanka without enough time to recover.
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline shows how the match changed from a competitive first innings to a successful Zimbabwe chase.
| Match stage | Key moment | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka innings | Nissanka scored 62 | Built a strong batting foundation |
| Middle overs | Rathnayake made 44 | Helped Sri Lanka reach 178 |
| Zimbabwe powerplay | Zimbabwe scored 55 runs | Kept the chase on track |
| Opening partnership | Bennett and Marumani added 69 | Gave Zimbabwe a steady start |
| Middle overs | Burl scored 23 from 12 balls | Increased the scoring rate |
| Late innings | Raza scored 45 from 26 balls | Put Zimbabwe in a strong position |
| Final over | Munyonga hit a six and Bennett struck the winning four | Zimbabwe won with three balls left |
The match was not decided by one player alone. Zimbabwe built partnerships, attacked at the right moments and kept the required run rate manageable.
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Stats
Here are the main Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Stats from the match.
| Statistic | Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Total runs | 178 | 182 |
| Wickets lost | 7 | 4 |
| Overs played | 20 | 19.3 |
| Run rate | 8.90 | 9.33 |
| Highest individual score | Nissanka — 62 | Bennett — 63* |
| Best bowling figures | Hemantha — 2/36 | Cremer — 2/27 |
| Result | Lost | Won by 6 wickets |
The bowling figures refer to runs conceded and wickets taken. An asterisk indicates a batter remained not out.
Zimbabwe scored at a higher rate and lost fewer wickets. That combination explains why they successfully chased the target. The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match Scorecard also shows that Zimbabwe had contributions from several batters, rather than relying on just one big innings.
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Players: Who Made the Difference?
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Players comparison reveals different strengths on both sides.
For Sri Lanka, Nissanka and Rathnayake were the leading batters, while Hemantha and Wellalage contributed with the ball. For Zimbabwe, Bennett anchored the chase, Raza attacked the bowling, and Cremer helped restrict Sri Lanka’s total.
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Standings
This match was part of Group B in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Zimbabwe finished the group stage unbeaten and topped a group that included Sri Lanka, Australia and Ireland, according to Cricbuzz’s match commentary.
For the latest Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Standings, check the official ICC website. A historical match result and the current tournament table are not the same thing, so always confirm the date of any standings you use.
Where to Watch Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team
If you want to revisit the completed match, these sources are useful:
- Full scorecard: Cricbuzz
- Official match details and highlights: ICC
People searching for Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Live, Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Live Score, Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Highlights or Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Live Streaming should note that this fixture has already ended. The links above are suitable for reviewing the result and finding available match videos, rather than watching a live game.
Availability of video content and broadcast services can vary by country and platform..
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match Scorecard records an important Zimbabwe victory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Sri Lanka scored 178/7 in 20 overs, led by Nissanka’s 62 and Rathnayake’s 44. Zimbabwe replied with 182/4 in 19.3 overs to win by six wickets.
Bennett’s unbeaten 63 gave the innings a steady foundation, while Raza’s 45 off 26 balls changed the pace of the chase. Zimbabwe’s bowlers had also done their job by taking regular wickets during Sri Lanka’s innings.
The result showed why T20 cricket is so exciting: a strong total does not guarantee a win, and a well-planned chase can change everything. Zimbabwe combined patience, attacking shots and useful partnerships to finish the match successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who won the Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Zimbabwe won by six wickets after scoring 182/4 in 19.3 overs. Sri Lanka had scored 178/7 in 20 overs.
2. What was Sri Lanka’s final score?
Sri Lanka finished on 178/7 in 20 overs, at a run rate of 8.90.
3. What was Zimbabwe’s final score?
Zimbabwe scored 182/4 in 19.3 overs, at a run rate of 9.33.
4. Who was the Player of the Match?
Sikandar Raza was named Player of the Match after scoring 45 runs from 26 balls and bowling four overs for 36 runs.
5. Who was Sri Lanka’s highest scorer?
Pathum Nissanka was Sri Lanka’s highest scorer with 62 runs from 41 balls, including eight fours.
Thank you for reading! We hope this detailed match report helped you understand the scorecard and the performances that shaped the result. Visit our website for more cricket scorecards, player statistics and match updates.
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