Zimbabwe Defeat Sri Lanka After Beating Australia

Zimbabwe continued their remarkable form in this year’s T20 World Cup by defeating two former champions in quick succession. Following their stunning victory over Australia on 13 February, Sikandar Raja’s men secured a six-wicket win against hosts Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s Innings

Winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bat first and posted a total of 178 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Pathum Nishanka led the innings, scoring a resilient 62 runs. His initial assault in the first six overs yielded 61 runs, providing Sri Lanka with a strong start, though the team slowed down in the middle overs, scoring only 78 runs across the final eight overs.

Zimbabwe’s leg-spinner Graeme Cremer proved crucial with the ball, taking 2 wickets for just 27 runs, restricting the hosts’ momentum in the later stages.

Zimbabwe’s Chase

Zimbabwe approached the chase with confidence. Set a target of 179, they completed it with three balls to spare, marking their second-highest successful chase in T20 history. The opening pair of Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani laid the foundation. Bennett remained unbeaten on 63 from 48 balls, following up his previous match unbeaten 64 against Australia. Marumani contributed a brisk 34 from 26 deliveries, while Ryan Burl added a quick 23 off 12 balls.

Captain Sikandar Raja played a pivotal role once again. Entering the field when 81 runs were required from 50 balls, he struck 45 runs from 26 deliveries. His dismissal left Zimbabwe needing 12 runs from 10 balls, which they comfortably achieved. In the final over, Tony Munyonga’s first-ball six sealed the victory.

Key Takeaways

Zimbabwe’s victory highlights their growing prowess in T20 cricket. The team’s consistent performances, led by Raja and backed by Bennett’s reliability at the top, have propelled them to the top of Group B, ensuring a place in the Super Eight stage. This back-to-back win over former champions Australia and Sri Lanka is a testament to Zimbabwe’s resilience, tactical awareness, and depth in both batting and bowling.

With players like Bennett, Marumani, and Raja firing, and Cremer controlling the middle overs with his spin, Zimbabwe have emerged as one of the most formidable dark horses in this T20 World Cup. Their form promises an exciting Super Eight phase for fans and analysts alike.