SL vs ZIM Match 38 T20 WC Highlights: ZIM Won by 6 Wickets

Zimbabwe topped Group B undefeated with a stunning 6-wicket victory over co-hosts Sri Lanka at Colombo.

Two years after losing to Uganda in qualifiers and missing the 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe have now defeated Australia and the hosts to announce their arrival on the biggest stage.

Both teams had already qualified, but Zimbabwe claimed the bragging rights emphatically. Brian Bennett’s composed 59 off 47 balls anchored the chase of 179.

Sikandar Raza’s blistering 45 off 26 balls, including four sixes, decisively turned the game Zimbabwe’s way. Pathum Nissanka’s 62 and Pavan Rathnayake’s explosive 44 powered Sri Lanka to 178/7.

Graeme Cremer’s leg-spin extracted significant turn for figures of 2/27. The opening stand of 68 between Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani laid the foundation before Raza’s death-overs assault sealed victory with three balls remaining.

Match Details

SL vs ZIM Match 38 T20 WC Highlights: ZIM Won by 6 Wickets — **Source:** Outlook India

Detail	Information
Match	Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, T20 World Cup, Group B
Venue	R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Result	Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets
Sri Lanka	178/7 (20 overs)
Zimbabwe	182/4 (19.3 overs)
Player of the Match	Sikandar Raza
Toss	Sri Lanka won and chose to bat

First Innings Highlights

Pathum Nissanka anchored Sri Lanka’s innings with 62 off 41 balls, striking eight boundaries before falling to Graeme Cremer. Blessing Muzarabani struck early, dismissing Kusal Perera for 22, caught at short fine leg.

Ryan Burl’s leg-spin deceived Kusal Mendis, stumping him for 14 to break the second-wicket stand. Graeme Cremer extracted significant turn on a responsive surface, claiming 2/27 including both Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis.

Pavan Rathnayake exploded in the death overs with 44 off 25 balls, smashing three fours and two sixes. He launched Brad Evans for consecutive boundaries before falling in the 19th over.

Dunith Wellalage provided late impetus with 15 off 8 balls, including three boundaries in the final over. Sri Lanka finished on 178/7, a competitive total with the pitch offering assistance to spinners.

Category	Player	Performance
Best Batsman	Pathum Nissanka	62 runs (41 balls, 8×4)
Best Bowler	Graeme Cremer	4-0-27-2

Second Innings Highlights

Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani put on 68 for the opening wicket to set the platform. Bennett survived an early drop and run-out scare before settling in.

Marumani attacked with 34 off 26 balls before Dunith Wellalage dismissed him caught-and-bowled. Ryan Burl struck immediately, stumping Kusal Mendis off his first delivery.

Bennett reached his fifty off 41 balls, becoming the first Zimbabwe batter with consecutive fifty-plus scores in T20 World Cups.

Sikandar Raza took control with a devastating assault, smashing Dushan Hemantha for consecutive sixes in a 20-run over. His 45 off 26 balls shifted momentum decisively.

Dilshan Madushanka and Maheesh Theekshana struggled to contain the onslaught. Hemantha dismissed both Raza and Tashinga Musekiwa in the 19th over to create tension.

With 8 needed from 6 balls, Tony Munyonga struck a crucial six off Theekshana. Bennett finished unbeaten on 59 as Munyonga hit the winning boundary with three balls remaining.