Zimbabwe Cricket Team beats Sri Lanka in Colombo to reach T20 World Cup Super 8s without losing a match

Zimbabwe scored 179 runs to beat Sri Lanka and stay undefeated in the T20 World Cup. This is their best start ever, winning every game before the Super 8s stage.
By Newsroom | Cricket, Colombo |

Zimbabwe has secured a spot in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup, maintaining an undefeated record after a six-wicket win against Sri Lanka at Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The victory was propelled by strong performances from Brian Bennett, who scored an unbeaten 59, and Sikandar Raza.

T20 World Cup 2026: Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza star as Zimbabwe enter Super 8s undefeated after six-wicket win over Sri Lanka - 1

Zimbabwe’s chase of Sri Lanka's target of 179 was anchored by a solid opening partnership between Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani. While Marumani contributed 34 runs, Bennett steadily built his innings, reaching his half-century in 41 balls. The team accumulated 46 runs between the 15th and 17th overs, a period that significantly shifted the momentum. Ryan Burl also provided a crucial quickfire 23 runs. Sikandar Raza added 45 runs, featuring four sixes, before Bennett sealed the win with a boundary in the penultimate over.

T20 World Cup 2026: Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza star as Zimbabwe enter Super 8s undefeated after six-wicket win over Sri Lanka - 2

Match Details and Performance

Sri Lanka opted to bat first, with openers Kusal Perera (22) and Pathum Nissanka (62) establishing a 54-run partnership in 4.5 overs. The team posted a total that Zimbabwe successfully scaled down in 19.3 overs. The final two overs of Zimbabwe’s innings yielded 30 runs.

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T20 World Cup 2026: Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza star as Zimbabwe enter Super 8s undefeated after six-wicket win over Sri Lanka - 3

| Player | Runs | Balls | Boundaries | Sixes | Notes ||——————————-|———|———-|——————|———-|—————————————-|| Brian Bennett | 59* | 47 | 8 | N/A | Unbeaten, Sealed Victory || Sikandar Raza | 45 | 26 | 2 | 4 | Crucial Acceleration || Tadiwanashe Marumani | 34 | 26 | 5 | 1 | Strong Opening Partnership || Ryan Burl | 23 | 12 | N/A | 1 | Quickfire Impetus || Pathum Nissanka | 62 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Sri Lanka's Top Scorer |

T20 World Cup 2026: Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza star as Zimbabwe enter Super 8s undefeated after six-wicket win over Sri Lanka - 4

Note: Not all specific details for every player's performance were available in the provided summaries.

Key Partnerships and Momentum Shifts

The match saw a significant shift in momentum during a substantial partnership between Brian Bennett and Sikandar Raza. Earlier, the foundation was laid by the Bennett and Marumani opening stand. Between the 15th and 17th overs, Zimbabwe’s scoring rate accelerated considerably, contributing 46 runs and effectively taking the game out of Sri Lanka’s reach.

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Player Perspectives

Sikandar Raza has commented on Brian Bennett's performance, stating, "Credit to him." While not directly quoting his specific praise for Bennett, this sentiment was shared by the team’s focus on preparation and belief, as mentioned in match reports. Raza also discussed trusting his rhythm during the chase, noting that he was "middling the ball" despite a cautious start.

Zimbabwe's Unbeaten Streak

This victory marks Zimbabwe’s entry into the Super 8s with an unblemished record. The team’s performance in this match is part of a larger campaign that has seen them maintain their winning streak. Reports indicate previous successes, including a notable win against Oman where Brian Bennett scored 48 and Tadiwanashe Marumani added 21 runs.

Broader Tournament Context

Zimbabwe now progresses to the Super 8 stage alongside teams like India, South Africa, and the West Indies. This achievement is framed within the context of Zimbabwe’s overall World Cup campaign, which has previously included a significant win against Australia, with captain Sikandar Raza emphasizing the need to maintain focus for subsequent matches.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup match in Colombo?
Zimbabwe won the match by six wickets at the Premadasa Stadium. They successfully chased a target of 179 runs in 19.3 overs to stay undefeated in the tournament.
Q: How many runs did Brian Bennett score against Sri Lanka to help Zimbabwe reach the Super 8s?
Brian Bennett scored 59 runs and stayed not out to lead his team to victory. He hit 8 boundaries and reached his half-century in just 41 balls to seal the win.
Q: What was Sikandar Raza's contribution to Zimbabwe's win over Sri Lanka?
Captain Sikandar Raza scored 45 runs from 26 balls, including four big sixes. His fast scoring helped Zimbabwe get 46 runs between the 15th and 17th overs to change the game.
Q: Which teams will Zimbabwe play against in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup?
Zimbabwe moves to the Super 8 stage to compete against top teams like India, South Africa, and the West Indies. They enter this next round with a perfect winning record from the group stage.
Q: What was Sri Lanka's final score in the match against Zimbabwe in Colombo?
Sri Lanka scored a total of 178 runs, with Pathum Nissanka scoring 62 runs at the top. Zimbabwe reached 179 runs with three balls left in the game to win the match.