New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 61 runs in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight Group 2 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Wednesday 25 February 2026, with play starting at 19:00 SL (UTC+5:30). R. Premadasa Stadium holds 35,000 spectators and is Sri Lanka’s premier cricket venue in the capital city.

New Zealand’s 61-run winning margin in Colombo was a disciplined, professional performance that reinforced their credentials as tournament contenders. The Black Caps combined measured batting with incisive bowling to restrict Sri Lanka on home turf, a difficult environment to dominate given the passionate local support and conditions that typically favour Sri Lankan spinners. The victory significantly strengthened New Zealand’s semifinal qualification prospects.

For Sri Lanka, defeat in Colombo was a particularly painful blow. Playing in front of home crowds at R. Premadasa Stadium, the pressure to perform was enormous, and the 61-run defeat left their Super Eight campaign in a precarious position. Sri Lanka’s spinners, usually decisive on these surfaces, could not arrest the game once New Zealand’s batters found their rhythm.

R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is Sri Lanka’s largest cricket ground and one of South Asia’s most celebrated venues. With a capacity of 35,000, it hosted multiple matches during the 2026 T20 World Cup, including this Super Eight clash. The ground’s proximity to the city centre and its intimate feel, despite the large capacity, create an intense atmosphere for major matches.

Timezone conversions for the 19:00 SL (UTC+5:30) start: 13:30 GMT for viewers in the United Kingdom, 08:30 EST for the US East Coast, 00:30 AEDT (next day) for viewers in Sydney, and 19:00 IST for fans across India. Cricket fans in New Zealand watched at 02:30 NZDT (next day). Check Colombo time and Sri Lanka time for exact local conversions.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the 10th edition, was co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, featuring 20 teams in 55 matches from 7 February to 8 March 2026. New Zealand went all the way to the final, where they fell to India by 96 runs at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

For timezone conversions, check Colombo time, New Zealand time, and Sri Lanka time.