Daijiworld Media Network - Bridgetown

Bridgetown, Feb 19: Zimbabwe national cricket team rode on a composed half-century by Brian Bennett and a powerful cameo from Sikandar Raza to register a comfortable six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka national cricket team in the T20 World Cup here on Thursday, advancing to the Super Eights with an unbeaten record.

Chasing a competitive 179 on a sluggish surface, Zimbabwe reached the target in 19.3 overs. Bennett anchored the innings with an unbeaten 63 off 48 balls, while skipper Raza smashed 45 off 26 deliveries to seal the chase in style.

Both teams had already qualified for the Super Eights from Group B, but Zimbabwe underlined their strong form in the group stage, having earlier defeated Australia as well.

Openers Bennett and Tadi Marumani (34 off 26 balls) provided a solid foundation, adding 69 runs for the first wicket in 8.3 overs after racing to 55 without loss in the Power Play. Marumani fell to Dunith Wellalage, who held on to a return catch.

Ryan Burl kept up the momentum with a brisk 23, including a massive 103-metre six off Wellalage. Though Burl was dismissed by Dasun Shanaka, Raza’s arrival shifted the balance decisively.

Raza struck two successive sixes and a boundary off Dilshan Madushanka in the 15th over, followed by another six and four off Maheesh Theekshana to bring the asking rate under control. Despite losing Raza and Tashinga Musekiwa in the penultimate over, Tony Munyonga’s towering six off Theekshana in the final over sealed the win.

Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 178 for seven after opting to bat. Openers Pathum Nissanka (62) and Kusal Perera (22) stitched together a 54-run stand in 4.5 overs. However, Blessing Muzarabani removed Perera with a well-directed bouncer, and Zimbabwe’s spinners tightened the screws in the middle overs.

Raza, Graeme Cremer, Burl and Wellington Masakadza restricted scoring and picked up crucial wickets, including Kusal Mendis (14). Nissanka completed his half-century in 34 balls but fell attempting a reverse sweep off Cremer.

Pavan Rathnayake’s quickfire 44 off 25 balls, including three boundaries in the 19th over, lifted Sri Lanka past the 170-mark, with 30 runs coming in the final two overs.

However, Zimbabwe’s balanced chase ensured a clinical victory as they moved into the Super Eights with confidence.