Zimbabwe Stun Sri Lanka To Top T20 World Cup Group

Cricket fans witnessed a thrilling contest at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 19, 2026, as Zimbabwe stunned co-hosts Sri Lanka with a six-wicket victory in the final Group B match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The stakes were high, not for qualification—both teams had already secured their places in the Super 8s—but for the crucial top spot in the group. With this result, Zimbabwe not only claimed the group’s summit but also maintained an unbeaten streak alongside the West Indies, sending a strong message to the rest of the tournament. The anticipation was palpable as the two sides took the field. Sri Lanka, leading Group B with six points from three wins, faced a Zimbabwe side just a step behind on five points, courtesy of two wins and a washout. The winner would emerge as group topper, setting the tone for the next phase of the World Cup. At the toss, Sri Lanka’s skipper Dasun Shanaka called correctly and opted to bat first, hoping to put runs on the board and crank up the pressure. The home crowd roared as Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera strode to the crease, ready to set the foundation. Nissanka, in particularly fine form, electrified the stands with a sparkling 62 from just 41 balls, peppering the boundary with eight crisp fours. His innings was the backbone of the Sri Lankan effort, and it looked for a while as if the hosts might post a mammoth total. But Zimbabwe’s bowlers had other ideas. According to the match scorecard, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani, and Brad Evans each picked up two wickets, applying the brakes at key moments. Cremer’s figures of 2 for 27 stood out for their control, while Muzarabani’s 2 for 38 and Evans’s 2 for 35 ensured Sri Lanka couldn’t quite break free. Still, the Lankans managed a competitive 178 for 7, thanks in part to a late flourish from Pavan Rathnayake, who smashed a rapid 44 off 25 balls to lift the total. As the teams switched roles, the tension in the stadium was unmistakable. Could Zimbabwe chase down 179 against a strong Sri Lankan attack in front of a partisan crowd? The answer came swiftly and emphatically. Brian Bennett, opening the batting, played the innings of a lifetime. Timing the ball sweetly and running hard between the wickets, he compiled a match-shaping 63, anchoring the chase and keeping the required rate within reach. Skipper Sikandar Raza, always a man for the big occasion, provided the necessary acceleration in the middle overs. His 45 was a masterclass in calculated aggression, finding gaps and dispatching anything loose. Together, Bennett and Raza put Zimbabwe in a commanding position, with the rest of the lineup holding their nerve as the finish line approached. With just three balls left in the 20th over, Zimbabwe sealed the deal, reaching 182 for 4 in 19.3 overs. The dugout erupted, and the players rushed onto the field to celebrate a famous win. It wasn’t just a victory—it was a statement. Zimbabwe had topped a group featuring former champions Sri Lanka and Australia, and they’d done it unbeaten. As Associated Press noted, "Brian Bennett finished what captain Sikandar Raza started as Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by six wickets to head into the T20 World Cup Super Eights unbeaten on Thursday." The match wasn’t short on drama or skill. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, including Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, and Pramod Madushan, tried valiantly to stem the flow of runs, but Zimbabwe’s batters always seemed a step ahead. Every time the home side threatened to wrestle back control, Zimbabwe answered with a boundary or a quick single, keeping the pressure squarely on the hosts. For Sri Lanka, there will be questions about the middle overs with the bat, where momentum seemed to slip, and about their inability to break key partnerships early in the Zimbabwean chase. Yet, there were positives too: Nissanka’s fluent knock, Rathnayake’s late hitting, and the fact that the team has already booked a Super 8 berth. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be riding high. Their bowling unit showed discipline and variety—Cremer’s leg-spin, Muzarabani’s pace, and Evans’s knack for breakthroughs all played crucial roles. The batting, led by Bennett and Raza, was composed and fearless. It’s not every day you see a team go through a group containing such heavyweights without a single defeat. As the dust settles on this group stage, Zimbabwe’s players and fans alike will be dreaming big. Looking at the bigger picture, Zimbabwe’s rise in this World Cup has been one of the tournament’s most compelling stories. Group B, with its mix of established giants and hungry challengers, was always going to be a minefield. That Zimbabwe emerged on top, unbeaten, speaks volumes about their preparation, belief, and execution on the field. For viewers at home, the match was available live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on the JioHotstar app and website, ensuring fans didn’t miss a moment of the action. The spectacle in Colombo was a reminder of why the T20 format is loved the world over—momentum swings, individual brilliance, and the ever-present possibility of an upset. Both teams now turn their attention to the Super 8s, where sterner tests await. Sri Lanka will look to regroup, address their shortcomings, and harness the energy of their home support. Zimbabwe, buoyed by their unbeaten run, will aim to carry this momentum forward and perhaps, just perhaps, script more history in this World Cup. As the group stage curtain falls, it’s Zimbabwe who walk away with the bragging rights, having toppled the hosts in their own backyard and sent a clear warning to every side left in the competition. The Super 8s promise more fireworks, and with Zimbabwe in this kind of form, who knows what’s next?