Which team will be the leader of Group B of ICC T20 World Cup 2026? The upcoming match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe (SL vs ZIM) on 19th February is going to be very important to find out the first and second place holders in this group.
The following article contains a detailed preview of the Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup match. The article details their probable playing eleven, best probable player, head-to-head record and game telecast, as well as R.K. Will include weather and pitch report at Premadasa Stadium.
SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup Match Preview:
Match Date: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match will be played on Thursday 19th February.
Venue: The match will be held at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Timing: The match is scheduled to start at 3.00 PM IST.
SL vs ZIM Full Squad:
Sri Lanka Cricket Team: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Zenith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Zenith Liyanage, Pawan Rathnayake, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellelage, Mahish Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Mathisha Pathirana, Ishan Malinga.
Zimbabwe cricket team: Alexander Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maphosa, Tadivanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarawa and Ben Curran.
SL vs ZIM Probable XI:
Sri Lanka Playing 11: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pawan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellelage, Dushmantha Chameera, Mahish Theekshana, Mathisha Pathirana.
Zimbabwe’s playing 11: Brian Bennett, Tadivanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (captain), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani.
Key battles of SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup match:
1. Pathum Nissanka vs Blessing Muzarabani:
Both are among the best players of their respective teams. Sri Lanka’s experienced batsman Pathum Nissanka will try to give his team a solid start, while Zimbabwe’s fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, who has surprised the cricket world on several occasions, will try to bowl another great spell in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. The fast bowler was in good form during his last match against Australia, where he got 4 wickets.
2. Kusal Mendis vs Brad Evans:
Kusal Mendis has been one of the most consistent batsmen in the tournament so far. He has the ability to bat according to the situation of the match. Once he gets back on track, it could prove to be really detrimental for Zimbabwe. Brad Evans, another excellent bowler from Zimbabwe, will look to get a big wicket in the form of Kusal Mendis.
3. Sikandar Raza vs Mahesh Theekshana:
Zimbabwe cricket team captain Sikandar Raza is the most reliable man in their batting lineup. If experienced, skilled batsmen move forward, they can snatch away the momentum from Sri Lanka. Mahesh Theekshana may be the best person to remove them from the surface. Theekshana’s tight bowling can test the nerves of the batsmen.
SL vs ZIM Key Players:
Sri Lanka’s key players: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera and Mahesh Theekshana.
Zimbabwe’s key players: Brian Bennett, Tadivanashe Marumani, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans and Blessing Muzarabani.
SL vs ZIM Live Streaming and Broadcast:
SL vs ZIM broadcast in India: The Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match will be telecast live on Star Sports Network across India.
Online Live Streaming in India: ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches can be live streamed on Jio HotStar app with an active subscription.
SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup Match Weather and Pitch Report—Sri Lanka:
SL vs ZIM Weather Report in Colombo:
The weather report is not apt to please any cricket fan. Due to the possibility of formation of a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, there is a possibility of continuous rain in Colombo. Like the last few days, there will be a threat of rain on the Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match. Apart from this, there may also be a thunderstorm once or twice during the match. However, there is not much possibility of interruption due to rain.
R of Colombo. SL vs ZIM Pitch Report at Premadasa Stadium:
Traditionally, Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium offers a spin-friendly surface. In the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the ground helped the spinners in many matches. The pitch may also be a bit sticky due to humid weather. After the toss, the captains of both the teams may want to bowl first keeping in mind the conditions.
SL vs ZIM Head-to-Head Record:
According to ESPNcricinfo, from 2008 to 2025, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe played against each other in 11 Twenty20 International matches. With a win ratio of 72.72, the island nation has claimed 8 matches, while Zimbabwe has claimed the remaining three matches, taking their win ratio against Sri Lanka to 27.27.
| Matchbox | Sri Lanka won | zimbabwe won | Drag | tie | no results |
| overall | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| In T20 World Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| in the last 5 matches | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SL vs ZIM Last 5 Matches Results:
1. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe- Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets at Rawalpindi on 25 November 2025.
2. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe won by 67 runs at Rawalpindi on November 20, 2025.
3. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe- Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets at Harare on September 7, 2025.
4. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe won by 5 wickets at Harare on September 6, 2025.
5. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets at Harare on September 3, 2025.
SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup Match—Conclusion:
Historically, Sri Lanka is far ahead of Zimbabwe. But from 2025 onwards, Zimbabwe overtook Sri Lanka on several occasions. In the T20 World Cup 2026, since both the teams have achieved a winning streak, it will be very difficult to predict who can win the encounter on February 19. However, due to statistics and home ground advantage, Sri Lanka will be favorites to win.
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