T20IWC: Raza , Bennett Shine as Zimbabwe Stun Sri Lanka; West Indies , Afghanistan Wins

 

Zimbabwe emphatically proved that their victory over Australia was no fluke, pulling off another sensational win by defeating Sri Lanka in a high-pressure clash of the T20 World Cup. Facing a formidable Sri Lankan side that had been in impressive form, Sikandar Raza and his teammates delivered a composed and confident performance to finish atop a challenging group that also featured Australia and Sri Lanka. The victory will significantly boost their confidence ahead of their Super Eight encounter against India.

Chasing at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium is traditionally difficult, with teams batting first having won all four previous matches at the venue in this World Cup, including the India–Pakistan fixture. Defying that trend, Zimbabwe produced a clinical chase. Sri Lanka posted a competitive 178 for 7 in 20 overs, but Zimbabwe calmly hunted down the target with three balls to spare, securing a six-wicket win — their second-highest successful chase in T20 internationals.

Sri Lanka began strongly after opting to bat. Pathum Nissanka, fresh from a century in the previous game, continued his rich vein of form with a fluent half-century. He stitched together a brisk 54-run opening stand in five overs with Kusal Perera, who scored 22 before departing. However, Kusal Mendis failed to make an impact, managing just 14 runs. Nissanka’s 68 off 41 balls anchored the innings before his dismissal put Sri Lanka under pressure.

After Nissanka’s departure, Pavan Rathnayake played a spirited counter-attacking knock, scoring 44 off just 25 balls, but lacked support from the other end as wickets fell at regular intervals in the death overs. Sri Lanka eventually finished at 178 for 7, a total that looked competitive on a sluggish surface.

Zimbabwe’s reply was steady and calculated. Openers Brian Bennett and Marumani provided a cautious start, prioritising stability over aggression. Marumani fell for 34, after which Ryan Burl injected momentum with a quickfire 23 off 12 balls. The match-defining partnership, however, came between Bennett and captain Sikandar Raza.

Raza led from the front with a captain’s knock of 45 off 26 balls, expertly accelerating the chase and steering his side towards victory. By the time he was dismissed, Zimbabwe were firmly in control. Bennett remained unbeaten on a composed 63 off 48 balls as Zimbabwe sealed the win with six wickets in hand and three balls remaining.

This result underlines Zimbabwe’s growing stature in the tournament and serves as a warning to stronger sides not to underestimate them. Having already edged out Australia to qualify for the Super Eight stage, Zimbabwe will next face India in Chennai on February 26. Although they played all their group-stage matches in Sri Lanka, the shift to Indian conditions will pose a fresh challenge — yet their recent performances suggest they are more than capable of competing against top-tier teams.

West Indies Outclass Italy with All-Round Brilliance

West Indies also ended their group stage on a high with a convincing 42-run victory over Italy at Eden Gardens. Batting first, they posted a solid 165 for 5 in 20 overs, powered by a commanding 75 off 46 balls from captain Shai Hope. In response, Italy were bowled out for 123 in 18 overs. Shamar Joseph starred with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 30 runs, while Matthew Forde delivered an economical spell of 3 for 19, sealing a comprehensive win. With four wins in four matches, West Indies finished the group stage with a perfect tally of eight points, alongside India and South Africa.

Afghanistan Crush Canada to End Campaign on a High

Afghanistan signed off their World Cup campaign with a dominant 82-run win over Canada. Batting first, they piled up an imposing 200 for 4 in 20 overs, courtesy of a magnificent unbeaten 95 off 56 balls by Ibrahim Zadran. Canada struggled in the chase and managed only 118 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi led the bowling effort brilliantly, picking up 4 wickets for just 7 runs in a match-winning spell. Canada, meanwhile, endured a disappointing campaign, finishing the tournament without a single victory.