Zimbabwe produced one of the finest run chases in their history to defeat Sri Lanka by six wickets in their final group-stage match of the T20 World Cup, sealing victory with three balls to spare in Colombo on 19 February.
Chasing 178, the African side completed their highest successful pursuit against Sri Lanka in T20 internationals and, in doing so, remained unbeaten in the group phase. The target is also Zimbabwe’s biggest successful chase in a T20 World Cup, surpassing their previous tournament best of 141 against the Netherlands in 2014. Their earlier highest chase against Sri Lanka had been 174 in 2024.
For Sri Lanka, it was only the second time in T20 World Cup history that they have lost after posting such a substantial total, the other occasion being their failure to defend 190 against England in 2014.
Having missed the 2024 edition after failing to qualify, Zimbabwe have returned in emphatic fashion. Under the leadership of Sikandar Raza, they progressed through qualifying unbeaten and have now carried that momentum into the main event.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka made a brisk start through Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera, racing to 46 without loss in four overs. Blessing Muzarabani broke the 54-run opening stand in the fifth over, dismissing Perera to offer Zimbabwe a foothold.
Nissanka, who had struck an unbeaten century against Australia earlier in the tournament, once again led from the front. He reached his half-century in 34 balls and went on to make 62, striking eight boundaries. Sri Lanka brought up 100 in the 12th over but then lost both Nissanka and Kusal Mendis in quick succession, slowing their progress.
Pavan Rathnayake attempted to restore momentum, lofting Raza for six before taking on Brad Evans with two fours and a six in consecutive deliveries. Evans responded by removing Rathnayake and Dushan Hemantha in the same over to stem the flow.
Dunith Wellalage provided a late flourish, striking three fours in the final over off Muzarabani to lift Sri Lanka to 178, a total that appeared competitive on a good surface.
Zimbabwe’s chase began confidently. Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brian Bennett added 55 in the powerplay and extended their opening partnership to 69 before Marumani was caught and bowled by Wellalage for 34.
Ryan Burl briefly accelerated with a boundary and a six from his first two scoring shots but departed soon after, caught at short fine leg.
The responsibility then fell to captain Raza, who delivered a commanding innings of 45 from 26 balls, including four sixes and two fours. Bennett continued his outstanding tournament form with 63, his third significant contribution following earlier scores of 64 against Australia and 48 versus Oman.
Raza shifted the momentum decisively in the 15th over, striking leg-spinner Hemantha for two successive sixes and a four. He followed that assault with a six and a boundary off Maheesh Theekshana in the next over, reducing the equation sharply.
From requiring 65 off the final six overs, Zimbabwe narrowed the target to 13 from the last two. Sri Lanka threatened a late twist when Dasun Shanaka held two excellent catches in the 19th over to remove Raza and Tashinga Musekiwa within three balls.
Yet any hopes of a dramatic turnaround were extinguished immediately. Tony Munyonga launched the first ball of the final over for six, effectively sealing a famous victory and confirming Zimbabwe’s status as one of the standout sides of the group stage.
