Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Match Highlights & Results

Onto the next one - That wraps up an exciting game of cricket here. The action now shifts to India, where Afghanistan are taking on Canada in Chennai, with that contest already underway after Canada opted to bowl first. You can switch tabs to catch all the live coverage from that match. Cheers!

The victorious skipper of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza says things can get even better if his side wins the first game in the Super 8s. He admits that not many people gave them a chance, but expressed his happiness at the victory and the respect they earned from the crowd. Raza reveals that after losing the toss, he reminded his teammates that if they play good cricket, the toss wouldn’t matter. He also notes that the finger spinners were not getting much assistance from the pitch and urged the boys to put Sri Lanka under pressure, believing they were about 10 runs under par. He credits Brian Bennett and Tony Munyonga for getting the job done. Raza adds that the team adjusts the batting order according to the situation, with every player clear about their role. Looking ahead, he says the team will take it one game at a time, with practice sessions helping them prepare better. He hopes they can win two of their next three matches and concludes by saying that everyone loves an underdog story.

The captain of Sri Lanka - Dasun Shanaka says that they got off to a solid start and felt the total was defendable. Says Pathum and Pavan Rathnayake batted really well, and the plan was to strike early with the ball, but they just could not get those breakthroughs. Credits the opposition, but admits they could have done better, especially in the field. As captain, he took a few risks too. It is good to qualify, but every game matters, and they will look to come back stronger with a better mindset in the next round.

Time to hear from the captains now...

Bowling let them down - Sri Lanka will be disappointed with their bowling effort, especially while defending the highest total at this ground in this World Cup. They failed to find early breakthroughs, and although Dasun Shanaka, Dushan Hemantha and Dunith Wellalage managed to strike, the wickets were too few and far between, with too many loose deliveries easing the pressure. Their catching and ground fielding were also below par - areas they will need to quickly address ahead of the Super 8s.

Lanka fire, Zimbabwe respond - Earlier in the game, Sri Lanka posted a strong total on the board, courtesy of a fantastic half-century from Pathum Nissanka, a fiery 44 off 25 from Pavan Rathnayake, and finishing touches from Dunith Wellalage. For Zimbabwe, Graeme Cremer was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Brad Evans and Blessing Muzarabani also claimed a brace each but were slightly expensive, and Ryan Burl chipped in with one.

Clinical chase from the Chevrons - Zimbabwe got off to a steady start at 20/0 after three overs before the openers exploded for 35 in the last three overs of the Powerplay, stitching together a 69-run stand with Brian Bennett anchoring one end confidently. Ryan Burl then injected momentum with a brisk cameo, and another 69-run partnership between skipper Sikandar Raza and Bennett put Zimbabwe firmly in control of the chase. Bennett brought up a fine half-century, while Raza smartly picked his moments and managed the match-ups to perfection. Though he fell before the finish line and the game went into the final over, Tony Munyonga held his nerve, smashing a decisive six to all but seal a famous win.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Sikandar Raza wins the award for his quick-fire 45 off 26. He credited the openers for laying a solid foundation before Ryan Burl kept the momentum going in the middle overs. He says that once he found his rhythm, he began calculating the chase in his head and focused on keeping up with the required rate. Although the game went down to the wire, he was pleased to come away with the win. Raza reveals that he kept urging Brian Bennett to capitalize on the loose deliveries and praised him for taking the game deep and remaining unbeaten till the end. He adds that he is excited about the result, looking forward to the next challenge, and feels it’s a great position to be in as captain. He hopes the team can celebrate the victory tonight.

A statement win before Super 8s - A famous win for Zimbabwe as they stay unbeaten in the group stage and seal top spot in style. This has been a terrific campaign, and chasing down 179 under pressure once again showcased their composure. They had successfully overhauled a 174-run target at this venue back in 2024, and adding another big chase here only strengthens the belief that in the Super 8s, Zimbabwe will be there to truly compete.

Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, Four!FOUR! ZIMBABWE WIN BY 6 WICKETS! Zimbabwe keep their unbeaten run! This is also the second-highest successful run chase in T20Is for the Chevrons. Flatter delivery, turning in towards off. Brian Bennett makes room and punches it through the gap at extra cover and mid off for a lovely boundary to seal an outstanding win.

Maheesh Theekshana to Tony Munyonga, 1 run.SCORES LEVEL! Tossed up, slower, and wider outside off. Tony Munyonga reaches for it and slices the drive to deep backward point for one.

Maheesh Theekshana to Tony Munyonga, Six!SIX! WHACKED! Dropped short, quicker, and angling into off. Tony Munyonga waits back, picks it early, and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a massive hit. That should seal the win for Zimbabwe. Just 2 needed now.

Dushan Hemantha to Tony Munyonga, 1 run.Tossed up, full, and just outside off. Tony Munyonga dances down and drills it through extra cover for a single. Zimbabwe need 8 off the final over.

A bit of an anticlimax with that wide.

Dushan Hemantha to Tony Munyonga, Wide!WIDE! Tossed up full, turning down the leg. Tony Munyonga looks to sweep, but fails to connect. Wide signaled.

The crowd has found its voice again and we are going down to the wire here. Tony Munyonga is the next man in.

Dushan Hemantha to Tashinga Musekiwa, OUT! c Dasun Shanaka b Dushan Hemantha.OUT! WHAT A CATCH! Dasun Shanaka, you beauty! Flighted delivery, full, and spins away, around off. Tashinga Musekiwa goes hard and looks to power it across the line, but it comes off the cue end and goes high over the mid off region. Dasun Shanaka, from mid on, and Kamil Mishara (sub), from long off, were both running towards the ball. Shanaka, though, keeps on running with his eyes locked on the ball, and he avoids the collision before hanging onto a spectacular catch. 10 needed off 7 balls.

Dushan Hemantha to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Flighted, full, around off. Brian Bennett shimmies down and drills it to long off for a single.

Dushan Hemantha to Tashinga Musekiwa, 1 run.Short and outside off, Tashinga Musekiwa slaps it over covers and takes a single.

Sri Lanka are not giving up here. The 69-run stand has been broken. That brings Tashinga Musekiwa out to the middle now.

Dushan Hemantha to Sikandar Raza, OUT! c Dasun Shanaka b Dushan Hemantha.OUT! CAUGHT! Dushan Hemantha gets the big fish! Flatter and shorter leg break, turning away, around off. Raza makes room and slaps it hard but straight to Dasun Shanaka at the short extra cover region, who takes a sharp catch, getting low to his right. Raza departs for a well-made 45 off 26 balls. 12 needed off 10 balls.

Dushan Hemantha to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Perhaps the googly, landing full and following the batter down leg, Brian steps back to drive but gets an inside edge. It rolls away to mid-wicket and they cross as the bowler chases it down.

Zimbabwe will not want to chase many in the last over. Looks like Sikandar Raza is suffering from some cramps and needs treatment. Also, Dushan Hemantha is to bowl the 19th over. He has gone for 31 runs in his three overs so far.

Dunith Wellalage to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Looped up, full, and on off. Brian Bennett prods and chips it toward long off for a single. Six singles off the over. 13 needed off 12 balls.

Dunith Wellalage to Sikandar Raza, 1 run.Fuller and quicker, around off. Raza makes room and drills it to deep extra cover for another run.

Dunith Wellalage to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Flatter, quicker arm ball, sliding into the middle and leg line. Brian Bennett works it through the square leg region and settles for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Sikandar Raza, 1 run.Fraction short, slower through the air, around off. Raza cuts it to deep point for one more. Sensible batting. All the heavy lifting has been done and now it's all about carefully navigating this phase.

Dunith Wellalage to Brian Bennett, 1 run.On a length, sliding in and moving towards leg. Brian Bennett makes room and knocks it through the gap at covers for one.

Dunith Wellalage to Sikandar Raza, 1 run.Flatter, arm ball, on off. Sikandar Raza knocks it down to long on for a single.

Can Dunith Wellalage (3-0-21-1) do something special here?

Dilshan Madushanka to Brian Bennett, Four!FOUR! Misfield and Zimbabwe get another boundary. Fuller than a length, outside off. Brian Bennett drives it away from the body, towards Pramod Madushan at the backward point region. A fumble, and the ball goes through him and away to the ropes. Zimbabwe needs just 19 off 18 balls now.

Dilshan Madushanka to Sikandar Raza, 1 run.Dilshan Madushanka persists on the pace off delivery, around off. Raza steers it toward deep backward point for a single.

Dilshan Madushanka to Sikandar Raza, No run.Clever bowling! Slower ball on a fullish length, just outside off. Raza sits on one knee, has a massive hoick across the line, but fails to connect.

Dilshan Madushanka to Brian Bennett, 1 run.BACK TO BACK FIFTIES FOR BRIAN BENNETT! Pace off, back of a length, outside off. Bennett stands tall and slaps it to deep point for a single. This has been a very responsible knock from the opener, and he just needs to keep going and stay till the end.

Dilshan Madushanka to Brian Bennett, Wide!WIDE! Dilshan Madushanka serves a full delivery, outside the tramline. Brian Bennett lets it go. Wide signaled.

Dilshan Madushanka to Sikandar Raza, 1 run.Another slower ball, on the fuller side, on off. Raza eases the drive to long off for a single.

Dilshan Madushanka to Sikandar Raza, Six!SIX! Dilshan Madushanka is greeted back in style! Slower, back of a length delivery, just outside off. Sikandar Raza picks it early and pulls it over the deep backward square leg fence for a maximum. 27 needed off 23 balls.

32 runs in the last two overs and you'll think it is Zimbabwe's game to lose now. Last throw of the dice from Dasun Shanaka as he brings pace back. Here is Dilshan Madushanka to bowl now.

Maheesh Theekshana to Sikandar Raza, 1 run.Tossed up, on a fullish length, on off. Raza comes forward, looks to work across the line, but gets a soft leading edge through the gap at extra cover for a single. 33 needed off 24 balls.

Maheesh Theekshana to Sikandar Raza, Four!FOUR! Sikandar Raza is playing a gem of a knock here! A low full toss, angling away from the batter. Raza reaches for it and slices the drive through the gap at backward point for four runs.

Maheesh Theekshana to Sikandar Raza, Six!SIX! BANG! Fuller and quicker, in the slot, on off. Raza clears the front leg and smokes it over the long on fence for a 90m hit. That went a long way.

Maheesh Theekshana to Sikandar Raza, No run.Two dots in a row. The pressure is building. Fired in full, around off. Raza looks to squeeze it through the short third region but fails to connect.

Maheesh Theekshana to Sikandar Raza, No run.Flatter again, slower through the air, just outside off. Raza cuts it late but picks out the man at backward point.

Maheesh Theekshana to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Flatter and quicker delivery, outside off. Brian Bennett stays back and cuts it hard to deep cover for a single.

Dushan Hemantha to Sikandar Raza, Four!FOUR! 20 runs off the over! Goes flatter, full and outside off. Sikandar Raza uses the width on offer and gets his hands through the shot. Slices it through cover-point for a boundary now. 45 needed off 30 balls.

Dushan Hemantha to Sikandar Raza, Six!SIX MORE! Sikandar Raza changing gears now! Dushan Hemantha tries to overcorrect his length, flights it up right in the slot, on off. Raza is expecting that, gets under it and launches it over the long off fence for half a dozen more.

Dushan Hemantha to Sikandar Raza, Six!SIX! SHORT AND PUNISHED! Dushan Hemantha bowls this quicker, but drops it way short, on middle, begging to be hit. Sikandar Raza opens up his stance and hammers it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 55 needed off 32 balls.

Dushan Hemantha to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Tossed up, full, follows the batter down the leg side. Brian Bennett backs away and forces it to long off for a run.

Dushan Hemantha to Brian Bennett, 2 runs.Floated, full and on off, Brian Bennett comes down the track and drives it on the up to the left of long off for a brace.

Dushan Hemantha to Sikandar Raza, 1 run.Drops it short and on off, Sikandar Raza slaps it through covers for a single.

DRINKS! Zimbabwe need 65 runs off the final six overs, a thrilling finish is on the cards! With 8 wickets in hand, the visitors have a fighting chance, but every ball counts. Can Zimbabwe pull off an entertaining chase, or will Sri Lanka maintain the pressure and snatch victory at the death? Hold on tight, this game is going down to the wire!

Dasun Shanaka to Sikandar Raza, 1 run.The extra ball does not cost much. Hard length and on off, Sikandar Raza punches it to sweeper cover for one more. 11 runs off the over!

Will the extra ball cost Sri Lanka?

Dasun Shanaka to Sikandar Raza, Wide!WIDE! Tries another slower one but just errs in line, down the leg side. Sikandar Raza comes forward to work it away but misses. Wided.

Dasun Shanaka to Brian Bennett, 1 run.A loopy low full toss, on middle, Brian Bennett bunts it back towards the bowler. Dasun Shanaka cannot stop it on the follow-through, allowing a run.

Dasun Shanaka to Brian Bennett, 2 runs.A leg-cutter now, full and on the pads, Brian Bennett flicks it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs. Nelson on the board now.

Dasun Shanaka to Brian Bennett, Four!FOUR! Clever batting! Dasun Shanaka digs it into the surface, on middle, and slower as well. Brian Bennett sways away from the line of the ball. He uses whatever pace is available and upper cuts it over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Dasun Shanaka to Sikandar Raza, 1 run.Takes the pace off, serves this full, on off. Sikandar Raza uses his feet and drills it to long off, for a single.

Dasun Shanaka to Brian Bennett, Leg bye.Fuller delivery, on middle and leg, and angling down. Brian Bennett misses his flick as the ball deflects off his pads towards point. A leg bye is taken.

Dunith Wellalage to Sikandar Raza, No run.An excellent over from Dunith Wellalage, just 2 runs off it! He bowls this slower through the air, shortish and around off. Sikandar Raza backs away and slaps it but once again to extra cover. 76 needed off 42 balls.

Dunith Wellalage to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Dragged back again, on off, Brian Bennett makes room and cuts it to deep point for a run.

Dunith Wellalage to Sikandar Raza, 1 run.Flatter and shorter, on middle, angling in. Sikandar Raza tries to whack it out of the ground but gets an inside edge to deep square leg for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Sikandar Raza, No run.Three dots in a row! Shorter in length and around off, Sikandar Raza punches it hard but finds extra cover.

Dunith Wellalage to Sikandar Raza, No run.Floated, full and on off, Sikandar Raza pushes it to short cover again.

Dunith Wellalage to Sikandar Raza, No run.Tossed up, full and on off, Sikandar Raza taps it to short cover.

Tidy over from Dasun Shanaka. Dunith Wellalage to continue with his left-arm spin. The home team will be eyeing another quick wicket.

Dasun Shanaka to Sikandar Raza, 1 run.On a length and on middle, Sikandar Raza works it through mid-wicket again but just for one. 9 runs and a wicket from the over!

Dasun Shanaka to Sikandar Raza, 2 runs.Pitched up and on middle, Sikandar Raza clips it away to deep mid-wicket and hurries back for the second run.

Dasun Shanaka provides the breakthrough. The next batter walking out is the Zimbabwe captain, Sikandar Raza, at number 4.

Dasun Shanaka to Ryan Burl, OUT! c Kusal Perera b Dasun Shanaka.OUT! TAKEN! Skipper gets a massive wicket for Sri Lanka. He delivers the off-cutter, bangs this into the surface, on middle. Ryan Burl looks to take it on and goes for the pull, but the ball gets big on him. It takes the top edge and flies towards short third, where Kusal Perera settles under it and takes a good catch. The dangerous Burl walks back. Zimbabwe are 98/2, needing 81 runs in 50 balls.

Dasun Shanaka to Ryan Burl, Four!MISFIELD AND FOUR! Dasun Shanaka is not a happy chap here. He bowls the slower one, full and outside off. Ryan Burl throws his bat at it. Gets an outside edge that flies towards point, where the fielder dives over the ball and lets it through for a boundary.

Dasun Shanaka to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Lands this short of a length and on middle, Brian Bennett rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Dasun Shanaka to Ryan Burl, 1 run.Back of a length and around off, Ryan Burl dabs it through point for a single.

14 runs off the 11th over. Will Sri Lanka bring in a pacer? Yes, they will. Skipper Dasun Shanaka (1-0-7-0) is back into the attack.

Dunith Wellalage to Ryan Burl, 1 run.Shortish delivery and around off, Ryan Burl opens the face of his bat and steers it through point for a run.

Dunith Wellalage to Ryan Burl, 2 runs.Dragged back and on middle, Ryan Burl nudges it wide of deep mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.

Dunith Wellalage to Ryan Burl, No run.Slows it up, full and on off, Ryan Burl knocks it back to the bowler.

Dunith Wellalage to Ryan Burl, Six!SIX! That has got wings on it! Flighted delivery, full and on off. Ryan Burl gets down on one knee and absolutely smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence. It goes into the second tier for a 103-METER biggie.

Dunith Wellalage to Ryan Burl, Four!FOUR! THUMPED! Dunith Wellalage drops it short but outside off. Ryan Burl moves back, waits for it and slaps it past extra cover, and between long off and sweeper cover for a boundary.

Dunith Wellalage to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on off, Brian Bennett goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Zimbabwe are 78/1 at the halfway mark. They need 101 runs in the remaining 60 balls. However, with 9 wickets in hand, they will be confident here.

Dushan Hemantha to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Flighted and very full on middle, Brian Bennett advances down the track and drags it off the bottom edge to long on, a single. Sri Lanka have kept a lid on the scoring rate for now.

Dushan Hemantha to Brian Bennett, No run.Full, tossed up, pitching outside leg and turning away to hit Bennett's back leg as he gets down on a knee and misses the sweep. Perhaps, pitching outside leg.

Dushan Hemantha to Ryan Burl, 1 run.Tossed up, full, at the stumps. Burl sweeps it through backward square leg for one.

Dushan Hemantha to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Flighted, full, and just outside off. Brian Bennett shimmies down and drives it to long off for one.

Dushan Hemantha to Ryan Burl, 1 run.Tossed up and full, around off. Ryan Burl sweeps it hard to deep square leg for a run.

Dushan Hemantha to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Flatter leg break, around off. Brian Bennett stays back and cuts it off the outer half past the man at short third for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Loopy delivery, full, and on the middle and leg. Bennett prods and chips it toward long on for one more.

Dunith Wellalage to Ryan Burl, 1 run.Flighted, full, just outside off. Burl eases it down to long off for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Ryan Burl, 2 runs.Ryan Burl is safe! Tossed up full, at the stumps. Burl comes forward and nudges it through the gap at mid-wicket and turns around for the second run. The fielder in the deep quickly collects the ball and scores a direct hit at the batter's end. It looks close, but the replay shows that Burl extended his hands well to drag his bat inside the crease.

Is that a run out? Smart replays are at work and the on-field umpire gets confirmation that it is Not Out.

Sri Lanka finally break the dangerous 69-run opening stand. Ryan Burl walks out to bat at number 3.

Dunith Wellalage to Tadiwanashe Marumani, OUT! c & b Dunith Wellalage.OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Dunith Wellalage draws first blood. Bowls it slower through the air again, wider outside off. Tadiwanashe Marumani sits low, looking to sweep, but ends up getting a top edge that goes straight up in the air. Dunith Wellalage doesn't have to move much, settles under the high ball and takes a good catch off his own bowling at the non-striker's end. A much-needed wicket for Sri Lanka. 110 needed off 69 balls.

Dunith Wellalage to Tadiwanashe Marumani, No run.Tossed up, on a length, and slower through the air. Pushed across the batter. Marumani looks to slog sweep but fails to connect.

Dunith Wellalage to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Flatter arm ball, sliding in, and attacks the stumps. Brian Bennett makes room and cuts it through the gap at point for a single. Both batters were looking for the second run, but they decided against it after a bit of hesitation.

Will Dasun Shanaka continue? No, it will be spin from both ends as Dunith Wellalage comes into the attack now.

Dushan Hemantha to Brian Bennett, 1 run.Shortish leg break, outside off. Brian Bennett hangs back and cuts it toward the deep point region for a single. Two tidy overs after the Powerplay, 111 needed off 72 balls.

Dushan Hemantha to Brian Bennett, No run.Hemantha goes full and on the leg pole. Brian Bennett misses the flick and wears it on the pad.

Dushan Hemantha to Brian Bennett, No run.Flatter and quicker, just outside off. Brian Bennett makes room and knocks it to the man at short cover.

Dushan Hemantha to Tadiwanashe Marumani, 1 run.Flatter leg break, spins back into the middle and leg stump line. Tadiwanashe Marumani works it through mid-wicket for a single.