Zimbabwe shock Sri Lanka to upset the T20 World Cup odds again
Al Jazeera
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Zimbabwe pulled off an unexpected victory over Sri Lanka in their final group stage match of the T20 World Cup, chasing down a target of 179 with three balls to spare. This stunning win handed Sri Lanka their first loss of the tournament and solidified Zimbabwe's position as serious contenders despite being underdogs. The Africans' strong batting performance was led by opener Brian Bennett, who scored an unbeaten 63, and captain Sikandar Raza, who made a quick 45. This victory came after Zimbabwe had already beaten Australia in their previous match, signaling their potential to challenge the tournament's heavyweights.
Sri Lanka, one of the co-hosts of the event, had qualified for the Super Eight but was caught off guard by Zimbabwe's clinical performance at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. They posted a competitive total of 178-7, with opener Pathum Nissanka leading the way with a knock of 62. However, Zimbabwe's bowlers, including Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, and Graeme Cremer, kept Sri Lanka in check, allowing their batters to execute the chase efficiently. Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani's opening partnership of 69 laid the foundation for Zimbabwe's successful run chase.
The result was a significant upset, not just for Sri Lanka but also for the tournament narrative. Zimbabwe entered the Super Eight as the only team to qualify through a continental qualification process, adding an underdog charm to their campaign. Their next challenge will be against the West Indies in Group One of the Super Eight, while Sri Lanka faces
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/19/2026