Welcome to Winsports!
Username: [user],Pass:[password]

T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe shock Sri Lanka to complete unbeaten group stage

T20 World Cup co-hosts Sri Lanka suffered their first defeat of the tournament, closing out their group stage with a loss to Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe produced another statement victory at the T20 World Cup as they defeated co-hosts Sri Lanka by six wickets in Colombo.

Following their surprise win over Australia earlier in Group B, Brian Bennett's unbeaten 63 helped Zimbabwe complete another upset, chasing down 179 to enter the Super 8 stage with an unbeaten record.

Fresh off his century last time out, Pathum Nissanka (62) got Sri Lanka off to a strong start after they won the toss and chose to bat.

Pavan Rathnayake's 44 off 25 helped set up a strong finish, with Dunith Wellalage (15no) getting Sri Lanka up to a solid total of 178-7 despite strong bowling from Blessing Muzarabani (2-38).

Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani (34) put on an opening stand of 69 to give Zimbabwe hope before captain Sikandar Raza smashed 45 off 26 to put his team in the driving seat.

Two wickets from Dushan Hemantha (2-36) in the 19th meant Zimbabwe needed eight off the final over, but Sri Lanka's hopes were dashed when Tony Munyonga hit a six off the first ball before Bennett scored the winning runs.

Earlier on Thursday, West Indies made it four wins from four in Group C as they beat Italy by 42 runs.

Shai Hope (75) starred with the bat as West Indies posted 165-6 before Shamar Joseph (4-30) finished the job with the ball.

Data Debrief: Bennett unbeaten at the crease

Bennett has now scored 175 runs in three innings at the tournament, the most of any batter who is yet to be dismissed.

This victory also marks the first time Zimbabwe have won three group stage games at a men's T20 World Cup.

There was some joy for Sri Lanka as they saw Nissanka (2,636), who had starred against Australia on Monday, become their leading run-scorer in the shortest format.

Nissanka also now leads the way for having the most 50+ scores (21) for Sri Lanka, so is in good touch going into Sunday's key Super 8 clash with England.

icono_cerrar Created with Sketch.
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

[X]

We use first-party and third-party cookies to improve usability, personalise content and statistically analyse your browsing. You can change the settings or consult our cookies policy .
Your cookie settings
Mandatory
They are strictly necessary for the basic operation of this website as well as to ensure its correct performance.
Functional cookies:
these are needed for the web page to be displayed properly and they ensure the proper operation of the site and help provide the user with a better browsing experience.
Analytical cookies
enable the tracking and analysis of user behaviour in order to provide improvements to the service.
Accept cookies
Reject cookies
Save settings