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Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe T20 Cricket World Cup Predictions - Nissanka to seal Sri Lanka’s fourth win of the World Cup

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 18 Feb 2026

Simon Lewis 18 Feb 2026

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Pathum Nissanka hit five sixes in his 52-ball 100* against Australia.
Brian Bennett has scored 56, 48* & 64* in his last three innings.
Can Sri Lanka overpower an unbeaten and in-form Zimbabwe?

Expired

Pathum Nissanka scored 100* against Australia (Getty Images).

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Predictions

Both sides are unbeaten after Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland was rained-off. Sri Lanka have won all three of their matches, have home ground advantage and have an in-form top-order, so I’m backing them for the win.

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Predictions
Head-to-Head
Sri Lanka Form
Zimbabwe Form
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Team News & Squads

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka has scored 34, 23, 24 & 100* in his last 5 innings.
Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis has scored 32, 26, 56*, 61 & 51 in his last 5 innings.
Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett has scored 64* off 56 balls against Australia.
Zimbabwe’s Ryan Burl has scored 50* & 35 in his last 3 innings.

Head-to-Head

Sri Lanka have won three and lost two of their last five T20Is against Zimbabwe.

Sri Lanka Form

Sri Lanka completed their third straight win in the World Cup when they beat Australia by eight wickets with two overs to spare.

The Aussie openers looked to have the match well under control at 104/0 in the ninth over before a double-strike by Dushan Hemantha (3/37) reduced them to 116/3. The Sri Lanka bowlers controlled the pace for the rest of the innings, bowling Australia out for 181 off the last ball of their 20 overs.

Dushmantha Chameera (2/36), Dunith Wellalage (1/33), Kamindu Mendis (1/19) and Maheesh Theekshana (1/37) all contributed to a powerful bowling display under pressure.

After a relatively quiet last month, Pathum Nissanka rose to the challenge to lead his side to the win off 18 overs. Nissanka ended unbeaten on 100 off just 52 balls. He shared a 97-run stand for the second wicket with Kusal Mendis (51 off 38).

Zimbabwe Form

After beating Oman by eight wickets and Australia by 23 runs, Zimbabwe maintained their unbeaten record when their match against Ireland was rained-off.

Brian Bennett (64* off 56) was again in the runs, guiding his side through to a competitive score of 169/2 on a tricky wicket against Australia. He received great support from Tadiwanashe Marumani (35 off 21), Ryan Burl (35 off 30) and skipper Sikandar Raza (25* off 13).

Blessing Muzarabani (4/17, econ 4.25) and Brad Evans (3/23, econ 6.57) tore through the Australian top-order, reducing them to 29/4. Despite a middle-order recovery, the Zimbabwe attack held their nerve to bowl Australia out for 146 with three balls in hand.

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Team News & Squads

Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka was delighted by his team’s performance to chase down Australia’s total.

“One of our best performances in the recent past. Really happy with how it went. Everyone wanted to contribute somehow. Missing Hasaranga and Pathirana is a big miss, but luckily we got cover for Hasaranga. Hopefully we can make it to the semis,” said Shanaka.

Zimbabwe also beat Australia in their last completed match. Captain Sikandar Raza was quick to put the win behind him as his side looks to progress further in the tournament.

“To win is unbelievable and we are in a great position, but the next game is now the most important one. We've seen in Sri Lanka that you can end up losing wickets if you go too hard too early, but the culture, environment and unity we've created is amazing," said Raza.

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.

Zimbabwe Squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava.

Verdict

Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe

I am backing Sri Lanka to win. I am also backing Pathum Nissanka to top score for Sri Lanka.

Brian Bennett is a good bet to top score for Zimbabwe.

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Simon is a talented sports writer in South Africa with a strong focus on cricket having played first-team level for UCT, including playing at two Universities Weeks.

From a young age Simon was an avid reader of cricket magazines and books, and went on to be Editor of The Googly, CricketScene SA and SA Cricket, in addition to being a Features Writer on SA Sports Illustrated.

He has interviewed most of South Africa's premier cricketers and was the first writer to interview a teenaged Jacques Kallis.

Simon has also written about English and local football, rugby and cricket, in addition to major international tennis and golf stars and competitions.

You can follow more from Simon at Muckrack, X and LinkedIn.