Zimbabwe’s cricketers are scripting a fairy tale at the T20 World Cup 2026. On Thursday, they crushed Sri Lanka by six wickets in Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, replicating the magic of their Australia upset. This group-stage masterclass sees them with three victories from four outings, one washed out by rain.
Their journey began with an eight-wicket demolition of Oman, followed by a 23-run stunner against Australia. Rain denied a result against Ireland, but against Sri Lanka, they were unstoppable. Super-8 awaits in Group 1 with heavyweights India, West Indies, and South Africa.
Opting to bat, Sri Lanka reached 178-7. The hosts exploded early as Kusal Perera (22 off 14) and Pathum Nissanka (62 off 41, 8×4) forged 54 in five overs. Nissanka and Kusal Mendis (14) added 46 off 43 balls to cross 100.
Pavan Ratnayake’s 44 off 25 (5 boundaries) provided late fireworks. Zimbabwe’s attack was potent: Muzarabani, Evans, Cramer (2 wickets apiece), and Burl shared the spoils.
Zimbabwe’s chase was clinical. Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani’s 69-run powerplay stand set the platform. Marumani’s 34 (26 balls, 5×4, 1×6) gave way to partnerships with Burl (23 off 12) for 29, then a match-winning 69 off 40 with Sikandar Raza (45 off 26, 4×6, 2×4).
Bennett’s unbeaten 63 (48 balls, 8×4) sealed a 19.3-over chase. Chameera starred with two wickets for Sri Lanka, Shanaka and Wellalage grabbing one apiece. Sri Lanka’s Group 2 campaign with New Zealand, England, Pakistan now hangs in balance, but Zimbabwe dreams big.