# T20 World Cup 2026: Brian Bennett and Sikandar Raza’s 45 Power Zimbabwe to Win Over Sri Lanka

URL: https://technosports.co.in/t20-world-cup-2026-brian-bennett-sikandar-raza/  
Published: 2026-02-20  
Updated: 2026-02-20  
Author: Ankush Mallick

Zimbabwe stunned co-hosts Sri Lanka by six wickets at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 19, 2026, to enter the Super Eight of the [T20 World Cup](https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026) unbeaten and as Group B toppers. Led by their canny bowling, Zimbabwe pulled Sri Lanka back from a flying start of 54 for 0 in 4.5 overs to keep them to 178 for 7 on a sluggish Premadasa track. Their opener Brian Bennett, the quickest scorer in Zimbabwe’s history, dropped anchor and stayed unbeaten like his team on 63 off 48 balls, while captain Sikandar Raza provided the decisive burst with 45 off 26 balls after the asking rate had gone past 11.

Zimbabwe sealed their second-highest successful T20I chase, reaching 182 for 4 in 19.3 overs. Graeme Cremer’s 2 for 27 and Brad Evans’ twin strikes in the 19th over were crucial in restricting Sri Lanka, while Tony Munyonga’s six off the first ball of the final over and Bennett’s boundary through the off-side ring sealed the victory with three balls to spare.

## Match Summary

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first at the R Premadasa Stadium. They raced to their fastest team fifty in T20 World Cup history in 4.1 overs, reaching 54 for 0 after 4.5 overs before Zimbabwe’s bowlers pulled them back. Pathum Nissanka scored 62 off 41 balls, overtaking Kusal Mendis as Sri Lanka’s highest scorer in T20Is during his innings. Pavan Rathnayake contributed 44, but Zimbabwe’s spinners — led by Cremer (2 for 27) — and Evans’ late strikes restricted Sri Lanka to 178 for 7.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Sri-Lanka-vs-Zimbabwe-819x1024.jpg)

In the chase, Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani put on an opening partnership of 69 in 8.3 overs. After losing Marumani and Ryan Burl in quick succession, Zimbabwe struggled briefly before Raza flipped the switch in the 15th over, slamming 20 runs off it with two sixes and a four. With 8 needed off the last over, Munyonga smashed a six off the first ball before Bennett caressed a boundary through the off-side ring to seal Zimbabwe’s unbeaten entry into the Super Eights as Group B toppers.

### Match Scorecard

| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sri Lanka | 178/7 | 20.0 | — |
| Zimbabwe | 182/4 | 19.3 | Won by 6 wickets (3 balls remaining) |

**Player of the Match:** Sikandar Raza (45 off 26) **Venue:** R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo **Date:** February 19, 2026 **Toss:** Sri Lanka won; elected to bat **Zimbabwe’s Super Eights:** Unbeaten; Group B toppers (ahead of Sri Lanka and Australia) **Historic context:** Second-highest successful T20I chase for Zimbabwe; failed to qualify for 2024 T20 World Cup

## First Innings: Sri Lanka’s Batting (178/7 in 20 Overs)

### Flying Start — Fastest Team Fifty in T20 WC History

Sri Lanka’s innings had three neat divisions: first 29 balls for 54 for 0, next 72 balls for 82 for 4, and then a finishing kick of 42 for 3 off the last 19 balls. They raced to 50 in 4.1 overs, making it their fastest team fifty in T20 World Cup history. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera bashed around in the powerplay, reaching 61 for 1 after six overs.

In the company of Kusal Mendis, Nissanka took Sri Lanka past 50 in the fifth over. Zimbabwe tried to deny them pace by bowling two overs of spin in the first four, but Raza and Wellington Masakadza were not as accurate and menacing as some of the more established spinners.

### Muzarabani’s Breakthrough and Zimbabwe Fight Back

Once Blessing Muzarabani got rid of Perera with a slower short ball at the end of the fifth over, the game changed. Kusal Mendis played a strange innings of little intent — 14 off 20 — during which Nissanka went past him as the most prolific run-getter for Sri Lanka in T20Is.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Nissanka-2-819x1024.jpg)

By the time Mendis was dragged out of his crease by a ripping legbreak from Ryan Burl, Sri Lanka had fallen to 100 for 2 in 12.1 overs. With even Pavan Rathnayake struggling at the start of his innings, Nissanka felt obligated to hit out and was out on the reverse sweep off Graeme Cremer, who returned figures of 4-0-27-2.

### Late Flourish — 42 Off Last 19 Balls

Sri Lanka slipped from 100 for 2 to 123 for 4 before a late flourish. In the 19th over, Brad Evans claimed two wickets off two balls to check the Sri Lankan scoring rate at the death. Muzarabani finished with 2 for 38, and Sri Lanka ended on 178 for 7.

### Sri Lanka Batting Performance

| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Notable |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pathum Nissanka | 62 | 41 | Eight fours; fastest team 50 (4.1 overs); overtook Mendis as SL’s highest T20I scorer; felt obligated to hit out; reverse sweep off Cremer |
| Kusal Perera | 22 | 14 | Good powerplay start; slower short ball Muzarabani (end of 5th over) |
| Kusal Mendis (wk) | 14 | 20 | Strange innings of little intent; dragged out of crease by Burl ripping legbreak |
| Pavan Rathnayake | 44 | — | Struggling at start; handy knock |
| Kamindu Mendis | — | — | Dismissed by Cremer |

**54 for 0 after 4.5 overs** (29 balls) **82 for 4 next** (72 balls) **42 for 3 off last 19 balls** **Powerplay:** 61/1

### Zimbabwe Bowling Performance

| Bowler | Runs | Wickets | Notable |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Graeme Cremer | 27 | 2 | 4-0-27-2; Nissanka (reverse sweep), Kamindu Mendis; legspinner |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 38 | 2 | 2/38; Perera (slower short ball, end of 5th over) |
| Brad Evans | — | 2 | Two wickets off two balls (19th over); checked SL scoring rate at death |
| Ryan Burl | — | 1 | Ripping legbreak dragged Mendis out of crease |
| Sikandar Raza | — | 0 | Bowled spin in first four overs; not as accurate |
| Wellington Masakadza | — | 0 | Bowled spin in first four overs; not as accurate |

**SL innings divisions:** 54/0 (29 balls), 82/4 (next 72), 42/3 (last 19)

## Second Innings: Zimbabwe’s Chase (182/4 in 19.3 Overs)

### Bennett and Marumani Provide Solid Start — 69-Run Stand

Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani gave Zimbabwe the perfect launchpad, putting on an opening partnership of 69 in 8.3 overs. Sri Lanka would have backed their slower bowlers to control the game once the field spread out. That is exactly what happened as Dasun Shanaka and Dushan Hemantha conceded seven and six in overs seven and eight.

![Brian Bennett](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Bennett-819x1024.jpg)

Wellalage cashed in on the pressure with clever bowling outside Marumani’s arc. Zimbabwe responded by promoting Burl to No. 3.

### Mid-Innings Lull — Burl’s Dismissal

With a single off the last ball of the 10th over, the asking rate went past 10. Zimbabwe needed 101 off the last 10 overs. Burl now unleashed burly hits off Wellalage — first a short ball for four and then a 103-metre six down the ground.

The pitch was not playing better. When Shanaka brought Sri Lanka back with a short ball to dismiss Burl for 23 off 13, Zimbabwe needed 81 off 50. At this point Bennett was 37 off 32 but not for lack of trying.

### Raza Flips the Switch — 20-Run 15th Over

In the 15th over, captain Sikandar Raza flipped the switch, slamming 20 runs off it with two sixes and a four in succession. His blitz of 45 runs from 26 balls took Zimbabwe to the brink of victory. After the first eight balls, Raza only had 4-5 runs but was seeing the ball well. He was trying to calculate and needed a 20-run over.

Raza took a straight six off Maheesh Theekshana even though he hadn’t overpitched. This assault knocked the stuffing out of Sri Lanka to leave 19 needed off the last three overs.

### Dramatic Finish — Hemantha Pulls It Back

Wellalage bowled a good final over to leave 13 needed off the last two. Hemantha managed to get Raza caught at extra cover off a short ball. Now Zimbabwe were looking at inexperienced batters who hadn’t yet had a hit in this tournament.

Tashinga Musekiwa, batting for the first time this tournament, was out for 1 off 2 courtesy a stunning catch from Shanaka running back from mid-on towards long-off and avoiding a collision. He ran 25 metres for the catch. Tony Munyonga, who had taken two excellent catches himself, was the new man in. It was 8 needed off the last over.

### Munyonga and Bennett Seal It

Munyonga smashed a dragged-down short ball from Theekshana for a six over cow corner to start the 20th over. Scores were level. Munyonga then threw his hands at a back-of-a-length delivery wide outside off and carved it towards deep point for a single.

Bennett caressed the fourth ball through the off-side ring, splitting extra cover and mid-off to seal Zimbabwe’s stunning victory. Bennett stayed unbeaten on 63 off 48 balls — his second consecutive T20 World Cup half-century without being dismissed.

### Zimbabwe Batting Performance

| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Notable |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Brian Bennett | 63* | 48 | Quickest scorer in Zimbabwe history; dropped anchor; stayed unbeaten; 69-run opening stand with Marumani (8.3 overs); 37 off 32 when Burl dismissed; back-to-back half-centuries without dismissal; winning boundary through off-side ring |
| Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk) | — | — | 69-run opening stand; Wellalage’s clever bowling outside arc |
| Ryan Burl | 23 | 13 | Promoted to No. 3; burly hits off Wellalage (short ball four, 103-metre six); dismissed by Shanaka short ball |
| Sikandar Raza (c) | 45 | 26 | 4-5 runs after first eight balls; flipped switch in 15th over (20 runs with 2 sixes + 4); straight six off Theekshana; caught extra cover off Hemantha short ball; decisive blitz |
| Tashinga Musekiwa | 1 | 2 | First bat this tournament; Shanaka stunning catch (ran 25m from mid-on, avoided collision) |
| Tony Munyonga | 8* | 3 | First bat this tournament; two excellent catches earlier; six over cow corner (short ball); carved single to deep point |

**Opening stand:** 69 in 8.3 overs **Asking rate passed 10:** After 10th over (101 needed off 60) **Burl dismissal:** 81 needed off 50; Bennett 37 off 32 **15th over:** Raza 20 runs (2 sixes + 4) **Final over:** 8 needed; Munyonga six, single; Bennett winning boundary

### Sri Lanka Bowling Performance

| Bowler | Runs | Wickets | Notable |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dushan Hemantha | — | 2 | Conceded six (7th over); Raza caught extra cover (short ball); pulled SL back in 19th |
| Dasun Shanaka | — | 1 | Conceded seven (8th over); Burl (short ball) |
| Dunith Wellalage | — | 1 | Marumani (clever bowling outside arc); good over left 13 needed off last two |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 47 | 0 | Raza straight six (didn’t overpitch); Munyonga six cow corner + single; Bennett winning boundary |

## Match-Winning Performances

### Sikandar Raza — Player of the Match

| Category | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Batting | 45 off 26 balls |
| Early struggle | 4-5 runs after first eight balls |
| The switch | Flipped it in 15th over (20 runs: 2 sixes + 4) |
| Key moment | Straight six off Theekshana (didn’t overpitch); assault knocked stuffing out of SL |
| Dismissal | Caught extra cover off Hemantha short ball |
| Impact | Blitz took Zimbabwe to brink of victory after asking rate passed 11 |
| Post-match | “After first eight balls, I only had 4-5 runs but I was seeing ball well. Was trying to calculate. Needed a 20-run over. Kept saying to Bennett he batted through. Told him I had let him down with slow start and to just hang in. We are unbeaten so far.” |

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Raza-819x1024.jpg)

### Brian Bennett

| Category | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Batting | 63* off 48 balls |
| Role | Dropped anchor; stayed unbeaten like his team |
| Opening stand | 69 with Marumani in 8.3 overs |
| Mid-innings | 37 off 32 when Burl dismissed; not for lack of trying |
| Winning shot | Caressed through off-side ring, splitting extra cover and mid-off |
| Tournament | Back-to-back half-centuries without being dismissed; quickest scorer in Zimbabwe history |

### Tony Munyonga

| Category | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Batting | 8* off 3 balls |
| Entry | First bat this tournament; 8 needed off last over |
| Key shots | Six over cow corner (dragged-down short ball) off first ball of 20th; carved single to deep point |
| Fielding | Two excellent catches earlier in tournament |

Read More: [T20 World Cup 2026: Shamar Joseph Guides West Indies to Super Eights With Win Over Italy](https://technosports.co.in/t20-world-cup-2026-shamar-joseph-west-indies/)

## FAQs

### What was the result of Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe at T20 World Cup 2026?

Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets — Sri Lanka posted 178/7 and Zimbabwe chased it down with 182/4 in 19.3 overs at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

### How did Brian Bennett perform in Zimbabwe’s chase?

Bennett scored an unbeaten 63 off 48 balls, dropping anchor and staying unbeaten like his team, hitting the winning boundary through the off-side ring with three balls to spare.

### What was Sikandar Raza’s contribution to the victory?

Raza scored 45 off 26 balls, flipping the switch in the 15th over with 20 runs (two sixes and a four) after the asking rate had passed 11, taking Zimbabwe to the brink of victory.

### Did Zimbabwe qualify for the Super Eights unbeaten?

Yes. Zimbabwe entered the Super Eight unbeaten and as Group B toppers, ahead of Sri Lanka and Australia, after failing to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

### What record did Sri Lanka set in their innings?

Sri Lanka raced to their fastest team fifty in T20 World Cup history in 4.1 overs, reaching 54 for 0 after 4.5 overs before Zimbabwe pulled them back.