The R. Premadasa Stadium (RPS) in Colombo was buzzing on February 19, 2026, as Sri Lanka took on a determined Zimbabwe in an important Group B match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. During this 38th match of the tournament, the enthusiastic crowd enjoyed a display of tactical bowling and exciting hitting, highlighted by a standout moment from Zimbabwe’s Ryan Burl that shifted the momentum in the middle overs.
Ryan Burl’s brilliance as he bowls Kusal Mendis in T20 World Cup 2026
By tossing the ball high and targeting a fuller length outside the off-stump, Burl’s delivery drew in the batter before gripping the pitch and spinning away sharply. Kusal Mendis, who had been struggling with 14 runs off 20 balls, attempted a loose cover drive. However, the delivery outsmarted him completely; Mendis reached out, lost his footing, and was unable to recover as the ball zipped past the edge of his bat. Wicketkeeper Tadiwanashe Marumani quickly removed the bails, leaving Mendis unable to respond.
This crucial wicket halted Sri Lanka’s progress just as they crossed the 100-run mark. It showcased a classic leg-spin dismissal, surprising the batter both in the air and off the pitch, reaffirming why Burl is considered Zimbabwe’s key player in the T20 format.
Here’s the video:
