T20 World Cup 2026: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Match 38 – Full highlights, top moments & winner details

Zimbabwe continued their remarkable run in the T20 World Cup 2026, with a thrilling six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the 38th match of the T20 World Cup 2026 to finish at top of the Group B table with three wins.

Batting first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 178 for 7 on a surface that offered grip as the innings progressed. Pathum Nissanka once again led from the front, scoring a well-paced 62 off 41 deliveries to give Sri Lanka a solid base at the top. He was well supported by Pavan Rathnayake, who provided late momentum with an aggressive 44 off just 25 balls, ensuring Sri Lanka finished strongly. For Zimbabwe, Graeme Cremer was the standout with the ball, delivering a disciplined spell and picking up two wickets for 27 runs.

Zimbabwe’s chase began on a steady note, with both openers showing patience and finding the occasional boundary to keep the required rate in check. The innings gathered real momentum when captain Sikandar Raza walked in and shifted gears, attacking the spinners and lifting the tempo with a brisk 45 off 26 deliveries before falling at a crucial moment.

The match went down to the wire, with Zimbabwe needing eight runs from the final over. Tony Munyonga released the pressure with a cleanly struck six, before Brian Bennett sealed the contest in style. Bennett, Zimbabwe’s most consistent batter of the tournament, finished unbeaten on 63 off 48 balls and calmly dispatched the winning boundary to secure victory.

Top batting performance: Sikandar Raza

Sikandar Raza was the standout batter for Zimbabwe, making sure the chase stayed on track by providing the crucial late impetus. The captain smashed 45 off just 26 deliveries at a strike rate of 173, clearing the ropes four times and finding the boundary twice. His aggressive intent shifted the momentum decisively in Zimbabwe’s favour at a key stage of the chase. Raza’s knock ensured Zimbabwe remained in control while hunting down the target and played a central role in the successful run chase.

Top bowling performance: Graeme Cremer

Graeme Cremer was the standout bowler for Zimbabwe, bowling with control and discipline, he finished his four overs with an economy rate of just 6.8, conceding only 27 runs and picking up two crucial wickets. His spell applied pressure through the middle overs and ensured Sri Lanka were kept within a chaseable total.

Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved

• Zimbabwe hit seven sixes in the innings, the most by them in a single T20 World Cup innings.
• The chase was the second-highest successful run chase at Colombo RPS in T20Is.
• It also became the second-highest successful run chase against Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup history.
• This was the second-highest target Zimbabwe have successfully chased in T20Is.
• Brian Bennett created history by becoming the first Zimbabwe batter to score consecutive 50-plus scores in the T20 World Cup.

Who was the Player of match?

Sikandar Raza was named Player of the Match for his match-defining contribution in the chase. The Zimbabwe captain provided late impetus with a blistering 45 off 26 deliveries, striking at 173 with four sixes and two fours. His knock shifted momentum at a critical stage and kept Zimbabwe in control of the chase. 

When is the next match?

Sri Lanka will be up against England in Super Eight clash at Pallekele on February 22, with the match scheduled to start at 3 PM. Zimbabwe’s Super Eight campaign will start on February 23, when they face West Indies in Mumbai in an evening fixture starting at 7 PM.