Sri Lanka stun defending champions New Zealand to revive Women's T20 World Cup hopes

By SABC Sport
16th June 2026

Sri Lanka produced one of the biggest upsets of the Women's T20 World Cup, defeating defending champions New Zealand by five wickets in Southampton to claim their first-ever win over the White Ferns in the format.

Needing victory after opening defeats for both sides, Sri Lanka chased 151 with two balls to spare, led by an unbeaten 54 from Nilakshika Silva and a composed finish from Kaushini Nuthyangana.

It was Sri Lanka's first win over New Zealand in women's T20 internationals after 12 previous attempts, keeping their semi-final hopes alive while the White Ferns face an early exit after back-to-back losses.

New Zealand never fully built momentum despite 45s from captain Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine. Isabella Gaze fell in the opening over when Mithali Amodhya found an edge, well caught by wicketkeeper Nuthyangana.

Kerr and Georgia Plimmer added 49 before debutant Nimasha Meepage struck with her first ball to dismiss Plimmer. Kerr anchored the innings, but Sri Lanka's disciplined bowling restricted acceleration.

A sharp running catch by Kawya Kavindi removed Kerr, while Sugandika Kumari dismissed Devine after a brief late surge. New Zealand finished on 150 for six, competitive but slightly below par.

Sri Lanka started strongly through Chamari Athapaththu but then collapsed, slipping from 45 for one to 55 for four after losing three wickets for 10 runs.

Nilakshika then steadied the chase, rotating strike before accelerating alongside Kavisha Dilhari in a 50-run stand. Dilhari's run-out left Sri Lanka needing 46 from five overs.

Nilakshika stayed composed and found an ideal partner in Nuthyangana, who had already taken three catches. Her unbeaten 24 off 14 balls supported the charge as the pair added an unbroken 48-run stand.

New Zealand's fielding again proved costly, with Bree Illing spilling a straightforward chance to dismiss Nilakshika on one. She went on to reach a second T20I half-century.

Nilakshika struck two boundaries off Amelia Kerr in the 18th over to swing momentum Sri Lanka's way, before Nuthyangana sealed victory with the winning runs through square leg.

The result leaves New Zealand needing wins against England, Scotland and Ireland, while Sri Lanka head into their clash with West Indies full of belief and still in semi-final contention.