Nissanka and Perera Power Sri Lanka to Aggressive Start vs Zimbabwe in Group B Finale

In a strong start at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka blazed to 61/1 in the powerplay against Zimbabwe, setting a dominant tone in this final Group B encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Electing to bat, the Lankan openers came out with a clear license to thrill. Pathum Nissanka was the primary aggressor, dismantling the Zimbabwean attack with a flurry of boundaries, including three in a single over against Brad Evans to push the run rate past 11. 

Kusal Perera matched the intensity early on, taking a particular liking to Blessing Muzarabani's pace by smashing three fours in the second over.

The breakthrough for Zimbabwe finally arrived in the 5th over of the powerplay. Blessing Muzarabani extracted revenge, dismissing a dangerous-looking Perera for 22 off 14 balls, caught by Graeme Cremer. 

Despite the late strike, the "Lions" finished the first five overs firmly in the driver's seat, with Nissanka remaining unbeaten and the scoreboard ticking at a brisk 10.05 runs per over.