In a major upset at the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lanka pulled off a memorable five-wicket victory over defending champions New Zealand in Southampton, marking their first-ever win against New Zealand in the tournament’s history.

Batting first, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 150 runs in 20 overs, with key contributions from captain Sophie Devine and Emily Kerr, both scoring 45 runs each. However, the rest of the batting lineup failed to capitalize, leaving the team slightly short of a stronger finish.

In response, Sri Lanka chased down the target with two balls remaining, despite early setbacks that saw them struggling at 55 for 4. The turning point came from veteran all-rounder Nilakshika de Silva, who produced a match-winning unbeaten 54 off just 37 balls. Her calm yet aggressive innings anchored the chase and revived Sri Lanka’s hopes when the match seemed to be slipping away.

She was well supported by wicketkeeper Kaushani Nuthyangana, who played a crucial unbeaten cameo of 24 off 14 balls. Earlier, captain Chamari Atapattu also contributed a quick 27 off 19 balls, helping Sri Lanka stay in contention during the early phase of the chase. A key 48-run partnership between Nilakshika and Kaushani in the final overs ultimately sealed the historic win.

New Zealand, despite their strong reputation and recent dominance, suffered their second consecutive setback in the tournament, slipping further in Group B standings and facing a difficult path ahead in the competition.

For Sri Lanka, this victory not only boosts their confidence but also stands as one of their most significant performances in recent Women’s T20 World Cup history, driven by experience, composure, and timely partnerships under pressure.