sri lanka vs zimbabwe — Zimbabwe top Group B as West Indies cruise past Italy
Zimbabwe sealed top spot in Group B at the T20 World Cup with a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo, completing a flawless group-stage run. The result — coupled with a comfortable West Indies win earlier in the day — set up a Super 8s line-up that will test Zimbabwe against some of the tournament favourites.
Steady chase and star innings hand Zimbabwe the win
Sri Lanka posted 178 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs, powered by Pathum Nissanka's fluent 62 off 41 balls. Sri Lanka's total looked competitive but lapses in the field and the absence of key seamers dented their defence. Sri Lanka were without Matheesha Pathirana due to injury and Dushmantha Chameera was rested, contributing to a bowling attack that struggled to exert sustained pressure.
Zimbabwe reached 182 for 4 in 19. 3 overs as Brian Bennett again underlined his tournament form with an unbeaten 63 off 48 deliveries. Bennett, who remains unbeaten in all his innings so far, combined calmness with timely aggression. He put on an opening stand of 69 with Tadiwanashe Marumani, who made 34, before the middle order rotated the strike and kept the scoreboard moving.
Captain Sikandar Raza provided the late impetus, striking 45 from 26 balls and shifting momentum back to the visitors when Sri Lanka applied pressure. Ryan Burl contributed 23, and with the target edging into reach, Tony Munyonga’s late six helped clear the final hurdle before Bennett drove the winning runs through the covers with three balls to spare.
The win means Zimbabwe progress to the Super 8s unbeaten, their third victory matching their best return at a T20 World Cup. Their next fixture is scheduled for Monday in Mumbai against the West Indies (Monday, ET), a high-profile opener in a Super 8 group that also features co-hosts India and South Africa.
West Indies complete perfect group after comfortable win over Italy
Earlier on the same day, the West Indies maintained an unblemished group record with a convincing 42-run victory over Italy at Eden Gardens. The Windies posted 165 for 6, propelled by a 75 from the experienced Nicholas Pooran's teammate, seeking to keep the innings moving after strong contributions up the order.
Italy struggled in reply and were bowled out for 123 in the 18th over. Shamar Joseph produced a standout all-round display, becoming the first player in T20 internationals to take four catches and four wickets in a single match. Joseph finished with figures of 4 for 30 and affected the game in the field as well as with the ball, while teammate Justin Greaves provided crucial early breakthroughs.
The West Indies finish the group stage with four wins from four, their balance of potent pace bowling and dynamic batting looking well-tuned as they head into the Super 8s.
Implications and next steps for the Super 8s
Zimbabwe’s unbeaten group run is a notable storyline. Their composure under pressure and the form of players such as Bennett and Raza give them credible momentum heading into a Super 8s pool that includes two co-host nations and a past champion. Their immediate challenge — facing the West Indies in Mumbai on Monday (ET) — will be a measuring stick for how they match up against power and experience.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will regroup ahead of a Super 8s opener against England in Pallekele on Sunday (ET). Fielding lapses and the enforced absence of seam options were costly in Colombo; correcting those issues will be a focus for the hosts as they attempt to convert promising totals into wins later in the tournament.
With group-stage positions settled, the Super 8s promise a tougher set of fixtures where each team’s depth, adaptability and execution under pressure will be decisive. Zimbabwe’s unbeaten streak and the West Indies’ pristine group record have set up intriguing contests as the tournament moves into its next phase.
