SL vs ZIM Match No.38 Preview: Free Live Streaming, Pitch & Weather Report, Head-to-Head, Playing XIs | ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Published - 18 Feb 2026, 03:00 PM
Table of Contents
Which team will be the leader of Group B of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026? The upcoming match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe (SL vs ZIM) on February 19 is going to be very vital to find out the first and second spot holders in this group.
The article that follows includes a detailed preview of the Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup match. The article will include their probable playing XI, best probable players, head-to-head record, and details of the broadcast of the game, along with the weather and pitch report at the R. Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup Match Preview:
Match Date: The Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match will be played on Thursday, February 19.
Venue: The match will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Time: The match is scheduled to start at 3.00 PM IST.
SL vs ZIM Full Squads:
Sri Lanka cricket team: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.
Zimbabwe cricket team: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, and Ben Curran.
SL vs ZIM Probable XIs:
Sri Lanka Playing 11: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (w), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana.
Zimbabwe playing 11: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (w), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani.
SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup Match Key Battles:
1. Pathum Nissanka vs Blessing Muzarabani:
Both are among the best from their respective teams. Pathum Nissanka, the proven Sri Lankan batter, will try to provide his team a solid start, while Blessing Muzarabani, the Zimbabwean pacer who shocked the cricket world on multiple occasions, will try to produce another brilliant spell in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. The pacer was in fine rhythm during their previous match against Australia, where he got 4 wickets.
2. Kusal Mendis vs Brad Evans:
Kusal Mendis is one of the most consistent batters in the tournament so far. He has the ability to bat according to the situation of the match. Once he gets settled on track, then it can prove really harmful for Zimbabwe. Brad Evans, another fine Zimbabwean bowler, will be trying to bag a massive wicket in the form of Kusal Mendis.
3. Sikandar Raza vs Maheesh Theekshana:
Sikandar Raza, the skipper of the Zimbabwe cricket team, is the most reliable figure in their batting lineup. The experienced, skillful batter can take away the momentum from Sri Lanka if he takes off. Maheesh Theekshana can be the best person to clear him from the surface. Theekshana's tight bowling can test the batters' nerves.
SL vs ZIM Key Players:
Sri Lanka Key Players: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, and Maheesh Theekshana.
Zimbabwe Key Players: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, and Blessing Muzarabani.
SL vs ZIM Live Streaming and Broadcasting:
SL vs ZIM Broadcast in India: The Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match will be broadcast live across India on the Star Sports Network.
Online Live Streaming in India: The matches of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 can be streamed live on the Jio HotStar app with an active subscription.
SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup Match Weather and Pitch Report—Sri Lanka:
SL vs ZIM weather Report in Colombo:
The weather report is not appropriate to make a cricket fan happy. Because of a possible formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, there are continuous chances of rain in Colombo. Like the past few days, the Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match will also be under threat of rain. Additionally, there can be one or two spells of thunderstorms as well during the match time. Though the possibilities of rain interruption are not on the higher side.
SL vs ZIM Pitch Report at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo:
Traditionally, the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo offers a spin-friendly surface. In the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the ground helped the spinners in multiple matches. Because of damp weather, the pitch can be a little bit sticky as well. After the toss, both of the teams' captains can wish to bowl first, keeping the conditions in mind.
SL vs ZIM Head-to-Head Records:
According to ESPNcricinfo, from 2008 to 2025, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe were involved with each other in 11 Twenty20 International matches. With a 72.72 win ratio, the island nation claims 8 matches, while Zimbabwe claimed the rest of the three matches, which makes their win ratio against Sri Lanka 27.27.
| Matches | Sri Lanka Won | Zimbabwe Won | Draw | Tie | No Result |
| Overall | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| In T20 World Cups | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| In Last 5 Matches | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SL vs ZIM Last 5 Matches Results:
1. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe—Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets on November 25, 2025, at Rawalpindi.
2. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe—Zimbabwe won by 67 runs on November 20, 2025, at Rawalpindi.
3. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe—Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets on September 7, 2025, at Harare.
4. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe—Zimbabwe won by 5 wickets on September 6, 2025, at Harare.
5. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe—Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets on September 3, 2025, at Harare.
SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup Match—Conclusion:
Historically, Sri Lanka is well ahead of Zimbabwe. But from 2025, Zimbabwe overlapped Sri Lanka on multiple occasions. In the T20 World Cup 2026, as both of the teams have gained a winning momentum, it will be very hard to predict who can win the contest on February 19. Though, because of the stats and home-ground advantage, Sri Lanka will be the favorite to win.
Read More: Shoaib Akhtar pressured by Pakistan govt into Mohsin Naqvi U-turn? Shocking development emerges
Tagged:
Sri Lanka National Cricket Teams Zimbabwe National Cricket Team ICC T20 World Cup Sri Lanka vs ZimbabweAbout the Author
This author is a member of Cricketaddictor who writes news and analysis related to cricket.
