Last Updated on 2 hours ago by Charbel Coorey

Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will meet in the 38th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. It will be a party atmosphere as both sides have qualified for the Super 8 round. R. Premadasa Stadium will host this game on 19th February 2026 at 3 PM IST. 

Sri Lanka has been in good form in the tournament so far. Their top-order batters, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, have played well, and the middle order has also stepped in when the team has needed them.

The Lions defeated Australia quite comfortably by eight wickets in their last game. Nissanka was outstanding, while the likes of Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, and Kamindu Mendis have done well for Sri Lanka too. Maheesh Theekshana has picked up wickets consistently as well, and Sri Lanka will look to finish the group stage with a win.

Zimbabwe has two wins and one rain-abandoned game in three matches. They defeated Australia by 23 runs in their last second game, and a washed-out game against Ireland meant that they confirmed their place in the Super 8. 

Their bowlers, Blessing Muzarabani (7 wickets) and Brad Evans (6 wickets), are the key players behind their success till now. Brian Bennett (112 runs) has led the batting, but he’ll need support from the others. The likes of Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl must take responsibility going ahead in the tournament.

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 38th Match: SL vs ZIM Probable Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: 1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Kamil Mishara/Kusal Perera, 3. Kusal Mendis (wk), 4. Pavan Rathnayake, 5. Dasun Shanaka (c), 6. Kamindu Mendis, 7. Dushan Hemantha, 8. Dunith Wellalage, 9. Dushmantha Chameera, 10. Maheesh Theekshana, 11. Matheesha Pathirana

Zimbabwe: 1. Briant Bennett, 2. Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), 3. Dion Myers, 4. Sikandar Raza (c), 5. Ryan Burl, 6. Tony Munyonga, 7.  Tashinga Musekiwa, 8. Brad Evans, 9. Wellington Masakadza, 10. Richard Ngarava/Graeme Cremer, 11. Blessing Muzarabani

R. Premadasa Stadium Colombo Pitch Report and Weather

A balanced pitch is expected to be used for this game with some aid for the spinners. The average first-innings score here is 171 runs. We’ve seen batters scoring big once they’ve got their eye in. 

Teams are expected to prefer chasing if they win the toss, but all four games played at this venue till now in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 have been won by teams batting first.

We may get to see a rain-interrupted game, as there is a 40% chance of rain and scattered thunderstorms during the game.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for SL vs ZIM: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicketkeeper Picks:  

• Kusal Mendis has been in terrific form in the tournament so far. He has three fifties in three games and has 168 runs to his name at an average of 84. He’s a key batter for the Lankans at number three and will be a top C/VC choice.

Key batter picks: 

• Pathum Nissanka scored a brilliant hundred in the last game. He has 137 runs in 3 innings at an average of 68.50 and strike rate of 159.30. He looked in sublime touch in the last game and will be a must in your fantasy teams.

Top all-rounder picks: 

• Sikandar Raza has been far from his best so far – 30 runs and one wicket in two games. But he struggled with cramp against Australia and is a proven match-winner. Raza will contribute with both bat and ball, which makes him a good C/VC pick.
• Brian Bennett has been the most consistent batter for his side with 112 runs in two games. He played a crucial knock of 64* in the game against Australia. He can bowl a few overs of his off-spin if required. He has the most runs in ZIM-SL T20Is (260, avg. 37.14, SR 132.65).
• Brad Evans has six wickets in two matches so far. He’s picking up wickets consistently and is a key player for his team. Evans will bowl the important overs, and he’s handy with the bat too. Another good C/VC choice.
• Ryan Burl batted at three in the last game. He scored 35 runs and picked up a wicket too. Burl is a utility player for Zimbabwe, and you should back him in fantasy cricket for this game.
• Dunith Wellalage will bowl his full quota. He is handy with the bat and the conditions will suit his bowling style in this game. Wellalage can trouble Zimbabwe’s middle order. 

Key bowler picks: 

• Dushmantha Chameera has five wickets in three games at a strike rate of 10.80. He’s been in top form lately and will be someone you can bank on for this game. Try him as C/VC in some of your teams.
• Blessing Muzarabani has been in the form of his life in this tournament. He has seven wickets in two matches at an economy of 4.12 and a strike rate of 6.2. He’s getting the ball to move around and can hit the deck hard. 
• Maheesh Theekshana has six wickets in three games at a strike rate of 12 and an economy rate of 5.91. He will pose a big threat for Zimbabwe with his mystery spin, and he can bowl in any phase of the innings.

Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Richard Ngarava (if plays)
• Kusal Perera
• Tadiwanashe Marumani
• Dushan Hemantha
• Pavan Rathnayake

Other Stats and Facts 

• Head-to-Head (last 5 years): Sri Lanka 5, Zimbabwe 3. 
• Pathum Nissanka in T20Is against Zimbabwe: 8 inns, 236 runs, avg. 39.33, SR 151.28.
• Dushmantha Chameera in T20Is against Zimbabwe: 8 inns, 12 wickets, avg. 18.00, econ. 7.20.
• Maheesh Theekshana in T20Is against Zimbabwe: 7 inns, 11 wickets, avg. 15.81, econ. 14.81.
• Both sides have already qualified for the Super 8 round.

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 38th Match: SL vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 38th Match: SL vs ZIM Match Prediction: Who will win?

At the moment, Sri Lanka’s playing like a team, with their batters and bowlers complimenting each other quite well. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will depend on their pacers and top 4 to do the bulk of the job in this match.

Sri Lanka to win.

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All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, and Cricmetric.