Scores: Zimbabwe (182/4 in 19.3 overs) beat Sri Lanka (178/7 in 20 overs) by six wickets in Colombo. (Brian Bennett 63*, Sikandar Raza 45; Dushan Hemantha 2/36).
Skipper Sikandar Raza said Zimbabwe would look to rattle a few heavyweights in the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup 2026, determined to stretch their fairytale run a little longer. After sealing qualification following the washed-off fixture against Ireland, Raza had remarked that “everyone loves an underdog story” – a line that has now become a quiet rallying cry within the camp.
On Thursday, he echoed that sentiment once again after Zimbabwe closed out the group stage unbeaten. Their six-wicket win over Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo ensured they topped Group B, reinforcing the belief that this campaign could be something special.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
While Raza admitted that a semi-final berth is firmly on their radar, he was quick to add a note of caution. Zimbabwe, he stressed, would take it one game at a time before daring to dream about a place in the final four.
“We take one game at a time. We arrive on 21st, and then train on 22nd, and then it is show-time. Whatever happens, happens. If we can win two out of three games, who knows what can happen. Everyone loves an underdog story,” Raza said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
WHY WOULD TOSS MATTER?
Raza spoke about how Zimbabwe defied the odds against Sri Lanka, especially when few had given them much of a chance. With chasing teams having lost all four previous matches at the venue, the toss was widely viewed as decisive heading into Thursday’s contest.
But Raza ensured his side did not lose heart after being asked to chase. Instead, Zimbabwe approached the target with clarity and composure, overturning the prevailing trend. The skipper insisted that while conditions and the toss can shape narratives, they matter little if a team simply plays good cricket.
“We keep our sights forward. If I keep our eyes on the present, I don’t think anyone gave us a chance. To win everyone’s hearts and respect, it is a good position to be in. When we lost the toss, all I said to the boys was if we are truly playing good cricket, why does the toss matter,” Raza added.
Zimbabwe face a challenging Super 8 schedule, starting against the West Indies at Wankhede Stadium on February 23. They then meet India in Chennai on February 26, before taking on South Africa at Arun Jaitley Stadium on March 1, aiming to continue their winning momentum.
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