Zimbabwe pulled off a sensational six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their ICC T20 World Cup clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first, opening the innings with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Janith Perera. The pair put on a solid 54-run partnership for the first wicket before Perera departed for 22.
Kusal Mendis managed 14, while Nissanka continued his fine form, bringing up his 19th T20 half-century. He smashed 62 off 41 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries.
Kamindu Mendis (7) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (6) fell cheaply, but Pavan Rathnayake injected late momentum with a blistering 44 off 25 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Dunith Wellalage chipped in with an unbeaten 15 off just eight deliveries.
Sri Lanka posted a competitive 178 for 7 in their 20 overs. For Zimbabwe, Graeme Cremer, Brad Evans, and Blessing Muzarabani claimed two wickets apiece.
Chasing 179 for victory, Zimbabwe got off to a flying start through Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani, who stitched together a 69-run opening stand. Marumani fell for 34 as the first wicket.
Ryan Burl added a quickfire 23 off 12 balls, while Sikandar Raza played a crucial knock of 45 off 26 deliveries before being dismissed as the third wicket. Tashinga Musekiwa managed just one run, falling to a sharp catch off Shanaka’s bowling.
However, Bennett stood tall, finishing unbeaten on 63, guiding Zimbabwe to 182 for 4 in just 19.3 overs.
This marks Sri Lanka’s first defeat of the tournament.
The Lions will now shift focus to the Super 8 stage, where they are scheduled to face England on the 22nd at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
