Final result
New Zealand Cricket won by 61 runs
Player of the match: R Ravindra
Result · T20 Internationals
New Zealand Cricket vs Sri Lanka
Result · T20 Internationals
Venue par · 189Chase success · 48%POTM · R Ravindra
Match preview & overview
New Zealand crush Sri Lanka by 61 runs at Premadasa
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 61 runs in this T20 international at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on 25 February 2026. Batting first after Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field, New Zealand posted 168/7, a total built on a strong death-overs phase of 78 runs from the final four overs for just 1 wicket. Sri Lanka's chase never found footing. They lost 2 wickets in the powerplay for 20 runs, well below the venue average of 46, and the middle order could not repair the damage. Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed for 107/8, with Rachin Ravindra taking the Player of the Match award for New Zealand.
The margin of 61 runs overstates the contest's closeness only slightly. Sri Lanka needed 169 to win and were effectively out of contention before the halfway point of their chase. Five wickets fell in the middle overs (overs 7–15) for 57 runs, which left the final four overs requiring heroics that never materialised.
New Zealand's victory extended their T20I head-to-head lead over Sri Lanka to 53 wins from 99 meetings, against Sri Lanka's 36.
Pitch report & venue insights
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo — 176-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2005–2025. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
176
T20 matches hosted
189
Avg 1st-innings score
161
Avg 2nd-innings score
48%
Chase success rate
45
Avg powerplay runs
34%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Death overs proved decisive for New Zealand
New Zealand's innings was built in phases but the death overs (overs 16–20) produced 78 runs for just 1 wicket, a figure well clear of the venue's average death-over return of 35 runs. That late burst took the total well beyond a par score and made Sri Lanka's target effectively unreachable.
Angle 02
Sri Lanka's powerplay collapse ended the chase early
Angle 03
Ravindra takes Player of the Match honours
Angle 04
Toss decision backfired for Sri Lanka
Angle 05
New Zealand extend their head-to-head advantage
Key players
Players who decided it
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top batter markets may offer more value than outright result lines, given how frequently individual performances rather than team form have decided recent meetings between these two sides.
- The Premadasa's average first-innings score of 189 across 176 matches suggests totals in the 160–180 range often feel par; total-runs markets may reflect tighter margins than the actual result implies.
- Sri Lanka's powerplay fragility, losing 2 wickets for 20 runs in this match against a venue average of 46, could make top-of-order bowling performance markets worth considering in future fixtures.
- With the chase success rate at Premadasa sitting at 48%, toss-outcome markets and first-innings score lines tend to carry relevance at this ground more than at most T20 venues.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about New Zealand Cricket vs Sri Lanka
What was the result of the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka T20I on 25 February 2026?
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 61 runs at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. New Zealand posted 168/7 from their 20 overs and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 107/8 in reply.
Who won the Player of the Match award?
Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand was named Player of the Match. His contribution was central to New Zealand's total of 168/7.
What is the head-to-head record between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in T20Is?
Across 99 T20I meetings, New Zealand lead 53 wins to 36, with 8 matches producing no result. Three of the last five encounters have gone New Zealand's way, with Sri Lanka winning the other two.
Where to watch New Zealand vs Sri Lanka T20 internationals in the UK?
T20 internationals featuring New Zealand and Sri Lanka are typically broadcast on Sky Sports Cricket in the UK, with streaming available via Sky Go and NOW TV. Check Sky's schedule for exact broadcast times, and note that matches in Sri Lanka or New Zealand usually fall outside standard UK viewing hours.
Who won the toss and what did they decide?
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field. New Zealand batted first and posted 168/7, a total Sri Lanka could not match, falling 61 runs short.
What is the average first-innings score at R. Premadasa Stadium?
Across 176 T20 matches at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the average first-innings score is 189. New Zealand's 168/7 came in below that average, yet still proved more than sufficient on the day.
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Photo credits (2)
- Wanindu Hasaranga — photo by 04 ATM 04, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Angelo Mathews — photo by paddynapper, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source