Sri Lanka faces Zimbabwe in a pivotal Group C clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. This 38th match could define both teams’ hopes of advancing to the Super Eights, with Sri Lanka holding home advantage at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 38th Match, Group C, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM Local (Colombo) / 4:30 PM IST Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
The R. Premadasa pitch typically favors spinners with its dry surface offering grip and turn, though recent World Cup games here have seen a balanced contest—31 wickets for spinners versus 26 for pacers. Average scores hover around 160-170 in first innings, rewarding disciplined bowling in the middle overs. Expect the track to slow down under lights, making strokeplay tricky without dew, as the 3 PM start minimizes moisture buildup.
Weather forecasts a possible thunderstorm early, but conditions should clear for a full game—cloudy skies, 28-30°C, with 60-70% humidity. Light showers can’t be ruled out, potentially aiding swing bowlers if delayed.
With both sides unbeaten entering this fixture, the stakes couldn’t be higher in Group C. A win catapults the victor toward Super Eights qualification, while a loss piles pressure ahead of the final group games. Sri Lanka, as hosts, carry national expectations, but Zimbabwe’s fearless cricket has upset bigger names this tournament. This isn’t just points on the line—momentum here shapes knockout dreams in a wide-open group.
Team Form and Momentum
Sri Lanka enters on a high after grinding wins over minnows, rediscovering their spin-heavy blueprint that won them the 2014 T20WC. Pathirana’s slingy yorkers and Theekshana’s mysteries have strangled oppositions, but batting inconsistencies linger from a shaky Asia Cup. Recent momentum favors them at home, though.
SL vs ZIM Match Details
- Match: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 38th Match
- Teams: SL vs ZIM
- Date: 19 Feb 2026
- Time: 2:30 PM 9:30 AM GMT / 3:00 PM LOCAL
- Venue:R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
T20 World 2026 Live Streaming Info
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on February 7, 2026, and wraps up with the final on March 8, 2026. Hosted across India and Sri Lanka with 20 teams, it spans about a month—group stages from early February, Super 8s mid-month, semis late February/early March, and the final in Colombo or Mumbai.
- In India, tune into Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2) or stream on Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema.
- Pakistan viewers can watch on PTV Sports, A Sports, or Ten Sports, with streaming available on Tapmad and Tamasha.
- For Sri Lanka, options include SLRC, Channel Eye, and Siyatha TV on TV, plus Sri Lanka Cricket YouTube and Dialog ViU online.
- UK fans have Sky Sports Cricket, TNT Sports 1, and talkSPORT on television, alongside Sky Go, Discovery+, and NOW TV for streaming.
- In South Africa, SuperSport covers it on TV and via their app.
- Australia might check Fox Sports for TV and Kayo Sports for live streams.
- USA and Canada: Willow TV on TV, Sling TV or Willow HD app for streaming.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ on TV and Sky Go app.
- Bangladesh: Gazi TV (GTV) and Rabith BD app.
- Afghanistan: RTA Sport and Ariana TV.
Rest of the world: ICC.tv for free streaming where no local rights holder exists. Subscriptions often apply, and VPNs can assist with geo-blocks where permitted.
How to Watch the Match for Free:
Catch every boundary without paying via these official free options, perfect for fans in Pakistan and beyond.
Pakistan: PTV Sports broadcasts all matches live for free on TV via terrestrial, cable, and satellite—no subscription needed.
Live Streaming Info:
The 38th T20 World Cup match will be live on Willow Cricket.
Live Score Info:
Key Talking Points
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Can Zimbabwe’s openers, like Bennett, repeat their blistering starts on a turning Premadasa deck?
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Sri Lanka’s spin trio versus Zimbabwe’s middle-order aggression—Raza thrives against mystery spinners.
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Home cooking: Premadasa has witnessed Sri Lanka’s highest T20WC totals, but Zimbabwe chased 170-plus here last tour.
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Injury clouds: Watch for updates on Shanaka’s niggle and Zimbabwe’s pace depth post-Ngarava’s workload.
Head-to-Head
In 25 T20Is, Sri Lanka leads 14-10, with one tie. Zimbabwe’s upset wins often come chasing, holding a 6-4 edge in second innings. Last five meetings:
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Zimbabwe won by 67 runs (Pakistan Tri-Series, Nov 2025)
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Zimbabwe won by 8 wkts (Zimbabwe tour, Sep 2025)
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Sri Lanka won by 5 wkts (Zimbabwe tour, 2025)
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Sri Lanka won by 4 wkts (Zimbabwe tour, 2025)
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Zimbabwe won by 30 runs (Tri-Series, Nov 2025)
Zim’s recent dominance (3-2) signals a shift, but Premadasa tilts odds back.
Sri Lanka Analysis
Strengths: World-class spinners (Theekshana, Wellalage) dominate at home; Pathirana’s death-over wizardry is unmatched. Balanced squad with explosive hitters like Asalanka.
Weaknesses: Top-order fragility—frequent collapses without Nissanka firing; pace attack lacks bite beyond Chameera.
Key Players: Wanindu Hasaranga (all-round dynamo, 15 wickets this WC), Charith Asalanka (tournament 250+ runs), Matheesha Pathirana (pace sensation). Recent form: Two chases defended narrowly, spinners claiming 20+ wickets combined.
Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera
Zimbabwe Analysis
Strengths: Aggressive Powerplay batting (Bennett, Madhevere); Raza’s experience anchors chaos cricket. Pacers like Ngarava excel in bursts.
Weaknesses: Spin vulnerability—middle order crumbles on turning tracks; inconsistent finishers beyond Ervine.
Key Players: Sikandar Raza (350+ runs, 10 wickets this WC), Ryan Burl (middle-order aggressor), Blessing Muzarabani (pace leader). Recent form: Tri-Series heroes, but lost steam in warm-ups; Raza’s 100 vs Pakistan still fresh.
Probable XI: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza (c), Craig Ervine, Ryan Burl, Joylord Gumbie (wk), Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara
Sri Lanka’s home mastery and spin edge should prevail in a tight scrap—expect a 10-15 run win defending 165. Premadasa’s conditions blunt Zimbabwe’s pace, while Hasaranga-Raza duel tips Lankans’ way. Form says hosts edge it, but don’t sleep on a Zim ambush if Raza fires first. Sri Lanka to sneak through to Super Eights