T20 World Cup’s surprise team Zimbabwe secured a remarkable six-wicket victory over co-hosts Sri Lanka in Colombo, completing the group stage unbeaten. This achievement sets a positive tone for their upcoming Super Eights campaign.
In their pursuit of 179 runs, Zimbabwe successfully scored 182 for 4, concluding the match with three balls remaining at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Ranked 11th globally, Zimbabwe had previously shocked the cricketing world by defeating former champions Australia.
The team also earned victories against Oman and shared points in a rain-affected game against Ireland. In the match against Sri Lanka, captain Sikandar Raza played a pivotal role, turning the tide with a powerful over against leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha, where he scored 20 runs, including two sixes and a four. This aggressive batting helped ease the pressure as Zimbabwe needed 65 runs off 36 balls at that stage.
Raza’s partnership with Brian Bennett, which yielded 69 runs off 40 balls for the third wicket, was crucial, although Raza was dismissed for 45 in the 19th over. Bennett remained a steady presence, finishing the innings unbeaten with 63 runs. In a nail-biting finale, Zimbabwe required eight runs from the last over. Tony Munyonga’s six off the first ball from Maheesh Theekshana calmed nerves, allowing Bennett to secure the victory with a boundary.
Raza expressed his excitement about the team’s performance, noting their unbeaten status and focusing on the next match. He emphasized the importance of savoring their current position as captain. The win marked Zimbabwe’s second-highest successful run chase in T20 international history.
Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to bat first, with Pathum Nissanka once again proving to be a key figure in their lineup. After scoring the tournament’s first century against Australia, Nissanka backed it up with a solid 62 runs off 47 balls, marking his seventh half-century in T20 World Cups, which ties him with Mahela Jayawardene for the most by a Sri Lankan player.
Looking ahead, Sri Lanka will open their Super Eights campaign against England in Kandy, while Zimbabwe will face the West Indies in Mumbai. Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka acknowledged the need for improvement, citing a lack of confidence in the field as a major concern, and expressed hope for a better performance in their next match.