Zimbabwe Stun Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup Group B Thriller
London, 19 February 2026 – Zimbabwe have produced a major upset at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, defeating Sri Lanka in their final Group B encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Despite playing in front of a home crowd, Sri Lanka were unable to defend a competitive total of 178, as Zimbabwe successfully chased down the target to maintain their unbeaten run in the group stages.
Match Summary: Zimbabwe Secure Top Spot
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first on a slow Colombo surface. Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka provided a brilliant platform with a brisk 62 off 41 balls, supported by Pavan Rathnayake who added 44. Sri Lanka finished their 20 overs at 178/7, a total many experts deemed sufficient given the conditions.
However, Zimbabwe’s pursuit was led by a resilient 63 from Brian Bennett and a crucial 45 from Sikandar Raza. Zimbabwe reached the target in the final over, marking a historic victory that sees them finish at the top of Group B. Both nations had already secured qualification for the Super 8 stage prior to this fixture, but the result serves as a significant statement of intent from the Zimbabwean side.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe: Head-to-Head Standings
While Zimbabwe claimed victory today, the historical records still favour Sri Lanka across all formats. The following table outlines the updated standings and historical head-to-head data between the two nations.
| Format | Matches Played | Sri Lanka Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | No Result / Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 Internationals | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| One-Day Internationals (ODI) | 66 | 51 | 12 | 3 |
| Test Matches | 20 | 14 | 0 | 6 |
| Overall (All Formats) | 96 | 72 | 15 | 9 |
Group B Standings: T20 World Cup 2026
Following the conclusion of the match on 19 February 2026, the standings for Group B have been finalised for the top contenders moving into the Super 8s.
- Zimbabwe: 1st Place (Unbeaten) – Qualified
- Sri Lanka: 2nd Place – Qualified
- Australia: Knocked Out
- Ireland: Knocked Out
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match today?
Zimbabwe won the match, successfully chasing down Sri Lanka’s total of 178/7 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Have both teams qualified for the Super 8s?
Yes. Regardless of today’s result, both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe had already secured their positions in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026.
What is Sri Lanka’s T20 record at the R. Premadasa Stadium?
Sri Lanka holds a relatively poor record at this specific venue, with a win percentage of approximately 27.27%, having won only 9 out of 33 matches played there.
Who were the top performers in today’s match?
For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka top-scored with 62. For Zimbabwe, Brian Bennett (63) and Sikandar Raza (45) were the standout performers in the successful run chase.