SL vs ZIM: Zimbabwe Spinners Claw Back Momentum After Pathum Nissanka’s Blistering 62

Zimbabwe staged a disciplined middle-overs fightback to check Sri Lanka’s momentum in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group B encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium. 

After Sri Lanka elected to bat, openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera appeared set for a mammoth total, racing to a dominant position during the powerplay.

Nissanka was the primary aggressor, smashing a blistering 62 off 41 balls, including eight boundaries, to reach his half-century in just 34 deliveries. However, the introduction of spin turned the tide. 

Ryan Burl provided the initial spark, deceiving Kusal Mendis (14) to force a stumping, before veteran Graeme Cremer claimed the prized scalp of Nissanka, who fell attempting a reverse sweep.

From a cruising 105/2, the "Chevrons" squeezed the scoring rate, conceding just 36 runs in the five overs leading up to the 16th. Cremer’s double strike (2/23) left Sri Lanka at 127/4 after 16 overs, forcing the hosts to rebuild ahead of the death overs.