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Zimbabwe stun Sri Lanka for the first time in T20I’s

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2 years ago

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Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka (2nd T20I)

Zimbabwe scirpted history when they edge Sri Lanka by a thrilling 4 wicket in the second T20I worked off at R.Premadasa stadium, Colombo on Tuesday (16).

The win also registered as the first victory for Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in T20I’s.

After being put in to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a decent score of 173/6 in their allotted 20 overs thanks to half-centuries from Charith Asalanka and Angelo Mathews. In reply, Zimbabwe chased down the target in 19.5 overs and levelled the three-match series 1-1.

Earlier Sri Lanka’s one of major concern their top order once again failed to deliver as they were reduced to 26-4 in 4.4 overs.

The host commenced there innings in the worst possible way when they lost Pathum Nissanka (1) in the second over of the day.

Nissanka was followed by three more wickets that of Kusal Perera (0), Kusal Mendis (4) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (16) to put Sri Lanka in some sort of trouble.

However when the chips were down, Charith Asalanka along with experience campaigner Angelo Mathews turn things around as the duo engaged in a massive 118-run stand off 79 balls for the fifth wicket.

Charith Asalanka led the charge from the front with a blistering knock of 69 runs until Luke Jongwe gave the breakthrough to send the left hander back to the pavilion.

With the damage already done former skipper Dasun Shanaka arrived at the crease and score quick 9 runs including two boundaries to entertain the crowd.

However the former skipper bit the dust when he skied one straight to Ryan Burl who was at mid off.

Despite two quick wickets Angelo Mathews launched a late surge with back to back boundaries as he went onto score 66 runs off 51 deliveries and guiding his team to a decent score of 173-6 in their allotted 20 overs.

During the chase it was the same scenario for Visitors as well wehere their top order failed to click.

Despite wickets falling at one end Craig Ervine kept Zimbabwe in the hunt, top scoring with 70 runs off 54 balls with six fours and two sixes.

At the half way mark Zimbabwe revived their innings to a certain extent but their saviour Craig Ervine bit the dust when Wanindu Hasaranga delivered to send Ervin back to the pavilion after he was caught near the boundary line.

Visitors reeling at 143-6 after 18 overs required to maintain at-least 15 runs per over to end on the winning side.

They required 30 runs from the last two overs, which turned into 20 off the final over.

Angelo Mathews was given the ball in the last over with Luke Jongwe and Clive Madande but the veteran failed to live to the expectations as Zimbabwe did the unthinkable in style.

It was a day to forget for Angelo Mathews as Jongwe smashed the first ball of the final over for six over long-on — and Mathews had overstepped as well, so the equation came down to 13 off six balls.

Next, Jongwe managed a boundary off the free hit, before smashing a six off the next delivery — making it three runs required off four balls.

Mathews managed a dot ball next. Then, to make matters worse, Jongwe was dropped off the next delivery and the batters completed a single.
Clive Madande was on strike for the penultimate ball, and as Mathews missed the yorker, he swept it for six to finish the match in style.

It also should be mentioned that the host were sloppy in the field, dropping a couple of catches as well.

With the three match series now levelled at 1-1 the decider will be played on Thursday at the same venue.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 173/6 in 20 overs (Charith Asalanka 69, Angelo Mathews 66*; Richard Ngarava 1-30, Blessing Muzarabani 2-36, Luke Jongwe 2-32, Wellington Masakadza 1-25)

Zimbabwe 178/6 in 19.5 overs (Craig Ervine 70, Brian Benett 25, Luke Jongwe 25*; Dilshan Madushanka 1-24, Maheesh Theekshana 2-25, Dushmantha Chameera 2-30, Wanidu Hasaranga 1-31)

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Colombo Set for High-Voltage India–Pakistan Night Battle

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6 hours ago

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February 15, 2026

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ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup

Colombo is preparing for one of cricket’s biggest nights as India and Pakistan meet in a marquee clash of the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.

Beyond tactics and statistics, this is a contest built on history and pride. With both teams in form and World Cup ambitions on the line, Sunday night promises a high-quality contest under the Colombo lights.

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Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Due to Hamstring Injury

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4 days ago

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February 11, 2026

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Sri Lanka’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign has suffered a massive setback, with star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.

Medical scans conducted after Sri Lanka’s opening match against Ireland confirmed that the leg-spinning all-rounder will require several weeks of rehabilitation, effectively ending his participation in the global showpiece event.

Hasaranga, a central figure in Sri Lanka’s T20 plans over the past few years, sustained the injury during the early stages of the tournament. His absence leaves a significant void in both the bowling and lower-middle-order batting departments.

Widely regarded as one of the most dangerous T20 bowlers in world cricket, Hasaranga’s impact in ICC tournaments has been remarkable. With 40 wickets, he currently stands as the second-highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history — a statistic that underlines the scale of the blow to the co-hosts.

Beyond the numbers, Hasaranga’s ability to break partnerships in crucial moments and provide quick runs under pressure has made him indispensable to Sri Lanka’s balance in white-ball cricket.

Attention now turns to potential replacements. Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha is expected to be named as Hasaranga’s replacement, pending official approval from Sri Lanka Cricket and the ICC Event Technical Committee. While Hemantha offers promise and attacking intent, stepping into the shoes of Sri Lanka’s premier match-winner will be a formidable challenge.

As of now, Sri Lanka Cricket is yet to issue a formal statement confirming the squad alteration.

With the tournament still in its early stages, Sri Lanka must now regroup quickly. The onus will fall on the remaining senior bowlers to shoulder added responsibility as the hosts attempt to keep their World Cup ambitions alive without one of their most influential players

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Cricket

“I Just Wanted to Score a Few Boundaries” – Kamindu Mendis Stars as Sri Lanka Beat Ireland in T20 World Cup Opener

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6 days ago

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February 9, 2026

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Sri Lanka’s decision to draft in Kamindu Mendis at the last moment proved inspired, as the all-rounder produced a match-turning knock to guide the hosts to a 20-run victory over Ireland in their opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.

Coming in with Sri Lanka in trouble at 86 for 4, Kamindu counter-attacked with a blistering 44 off just 19 deliveries, striking four boundaries and two sixes to swing momentum firmly in the hosts’ favour. His innings transformed a faltering batting effort into a competitive total of 163.

I just wanted to score a few boundaries and put a partnership with Kusal Mendis

Kusal was outstanding today. He deserves a lot of credit. We wanted someone to bat through the innings.

Kusal Mendis played the anchor role to perfection, remaining unbeaten on a composed half-century and ensuring Sri Lanka batted through their 20 overs — something that looked unlikely during the middle phase of the innings.

Sri Lanka’s bowling unit then delivered a disciplined performance, led by their spin trio of Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage, who shared seven wickets to derail Ireland’s chase. Hasaranga claimed three scalps, taking his overall T20 World Cup wicket tally to 40 — second only to Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan (50).

There was a brief scare for Sri Lanka when Hasaranga limped off after his second over, sparking concern over his fitness. However, the skipper returned to complete his spell, easing fears ahead of the remaining group matches.

Ireland showed early promise, with George Dockrell returning impressive figures of 2 for 17 and a solid 49-run partnership between Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector keeping them in the contest. But once spin was introduced in tandem, the visitors struggled to maintain momentum.

From 105 for 2, Ireland lost wickets in quick succession and were eventually bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs, with Matheesha Pathirana picking up two wickets in the final over.

They got about 15 runs too many,” admitted Ireland captain Paul Stirling.

We were a bit sloppy in the field and we’ve got plenty of work to do before the next game. Spin is going to play a big role in this tournament, and that’s something we need to adapt to quickly.

Co-hosting the 20-team tournament alongside defending champions India, Sri Lanka could not have asked for a better start. The victory not only earned crucial points but also injected confidence into a campaign that carries high expectations on home soil

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