T20 World Cup 2025/26, SL vs ZIM 38th Match, Group B Match Preview

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There is a party at Khettarama and everyone is invited. Both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe have already secured their places in the Super Eight, meaning their final Group B clash at the R Premadasa Stadium on Thursday has now become a joyous victory lap for two passionate fans.

Sri Lanka enter with a perfect 3-0 record, having demolished Australia by eight wickets last time out. The result and those that preceded it ignited a dormant fanbase, one that was rather jaded given the poor run of form leading into the tournament. Now, however, the expectations are that the brass rhythms of the Papare groups will be in full flow, especially with this game having no real danger attached to it.

Across the aisle, the Castle Corner faithful also have every reason to sing and indeed feel some kinship with their Sri Lankan brethren. Zimbabwe’s journey has some clear parallels with Sri Lanka’s. For one, they both arrived at the tournament on a rotten stretch of form, but then both sides posted dominant wins over Australia to fuel their growing expectations.

And while their qualification was only mathematically sealed after an anti-climactic elimination against Ireland, their fans, known for their soulful choral harmonies and rhythmic “war cries”, will no doubt be looking to the local Papare beat for a beat in Colombo.

But in terms of current action on the field, Sri Lanka have a comprehensive win-loss record of 8-3 against Zimbabwe in T20Is, but two of those defeats have come in the last year, and on both occasions Sri Lanka were bowled out for less than 100. Momentum will also matter with both sides aiming for the Super Eight.

Recent forms

Sri Lanka WWWLL (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Zimbabwe WWLLW

In the spotlight

In September, Kusal Perera charged to Varun Chakravarthy and missed. He was stumped for a 32-ball 58, but his knock, chasing 203, helped Sri Lanka take the match in the Super Innings. Since then she has read scores 4, 25, 6, 1, 1. His five scores before that beat? 15, 16, 28, 20, 9. If the innings against India – or even his 46-ball 101 against New Zealand a little over a year ago – showcased Perera’s ceiling, his scores around such innings highlight the overwhelming reality. He was a late call-up to Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad, and against Australia he was picked ahead of Kamil Mishara, who was also going through a lean period. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have run riot this World Cup, but heading into the Super Eight, it’s an on-song that Perera will be desperate to see Sri Lanka deliver.

Whatever successes Zimbabwe achieved in the last two years were largely due to Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennett. But halfway through 2024, confidence was placed Dion Myers to that pivot no. 3 position to navigate. However, his 14 innings in that position yielded just 256 runs at an average of 19.69. Zimbabwe are already in the midst of their deepest run in a T20 World Cup, but if they are to make it an even more historic one, Myers’ contributions will be a crucial difference.

Team news

With Excluding Matheesha PathiranaSri Lanka will most likely field the only back seamer in their team: Pramod Madushan. Meanwhile, Dilshan Madushanka has been called up as a substitute, which could also rest Dushmantha Chameera.

Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Perera, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, 5 Dasun Shanaka (captain), 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Dunith Wellalage, 8 Dushan Hemantha, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Chameer1 Madushan/Dushan, 10

Zimbabwe are likely to go with their tried and tested XI, with Richard Ngarava also potentially back in the squad after missing out against Australia as a precaution.

Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Brian Bennett, 2 Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), 3 Dion Myers, 4 Sikandar Raza (capt), 5 Ryan Burl, 6 Tashinga Musekiwa, 7 Brad Evans, 8 Wellington Masakadza, 9 Graeme Cremer, 10 Blessing Muzarabani, 11 Richard Ngarava

Pitch and conditions

Chasing 180-plus in Pallekele, Sri Lanka will have to temper expectations of their batting as the action returns to the Khettarama in Colombo, where conditions are expected to be more on the tricky side. Australia’s 182 against Ireland is the top score at the venue in this World Cup, and you’d have to go back to 2018 to find a bigger score. Some rain is expected during the day, but it will hopefully clear in the evening.

Statistics and trivia

  • A win on Thursday would be only the second time Sri Lanka have won four T20Is in a row since the 2022 Asia Cup.
  • Ryan Burl is on 1920 T20I runs, just 80 runs short of becoming the second Zimbabwean player after Sikandar Raza to reach 2000 runs.
  • Since the end of the 2024 T20 World Cup, Bennet’s 1481 runs at a strike rate of 145.19 is the most in T20Is among full-member batsmen, followed by Abhishek Sharma (1297 at 193.29) and Pathum Nissanka (1293 at 142.7).

Quotes

“I think we’ll stick to our plans, our strengths. I’m not too big on opposition bowlers. It’s more to do with our plans and what our strengths are. If we can stick to those plans and have clarity about what we’re going to do inside, then I think you can handle any bowler.”
Sri Lanka’s batting coach Vikram Rathore don’t focus too much on the opposition



Louis Jones

Louis Jones

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