Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka and join West Indies in finishing T20 World Cup group stage unbeaten

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Brian Bennett finished what captain Sikandar Raza started as Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by six wickets to head into the T20 World Cup Super Eights unbeaten on Thursday.

Zimbabwe topped a Group B including former champions Sri Lanka and Australia.

Zimbabwe will meet the West Indies in their Super Eights opener in Mumbai on Monday. Sri Lanka will host England in Pallekele on Saturday.

West Indies also completed the group stage undefeated after dismissing Italy for 123 and winning by 42 runs in Kolkata.

Ibrahim Zadran missed out on claiming Afghanistan's first men's T20 World Cup century, finishing 95 not out as Canada was beaten by 82 runs in Chennai. Both teams had already failed to advance.

Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka had already booked their Super Eights spots after both dominated Australia, and still entertained. Sri Lanka opted to bat first and notched 178-7 and Zimbabwe overhauled it with 182-4 and three balls to spare.

“I don't think anyone gave us a chance (of reaching the Super Eights),” captain Raza said. “To win everyone's hearts and respect, it is a good position to be in. If we can win two out of three games who knows what can happen. Everyone loves an underdog story.”

Zimbabwe was behind the chase for most of the game until Raza hit four sixes and two boundaries in 45 off 26 balls to catch up with the asking rate. When Raza and Tashinga Musekiwa fell to leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha in the 19th over, Sri Lanka supporters suddenly had new hope.

But Tony Munyonga hit a six to start the last over and Bennett's eighth boundary finished off Zimbabwe's third win over Sri Lanka in the last five months.

Opening batter Bennett anchored the chase and was unbeaten on 63 off 48. He still hasn't been dismissed in the World Cup after scoring 48 against Oman and 64 against Australia.

Sri Lanka's total was held up again by Pathum Nissanka, who backed up his unbeaten 100 against Australia with 62 off 41 including eight boundaries.

Pavan Rathnayake hit two sixes and three boundaries in a 25-ball 44 to help Sri Lanka to a competitive total.

“We need to be more confident in the field. I felt that is what we lacked today," Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said. “Hopefully we come with a better attitude the next time.”

Italy and the West Indies struggled on what appeared to be a good batting pitch at Eden Gardens.

West Indies captain Shai Hope starred with 75 off 46 balls, his second straight World Cup half-century, and the next best score was Ben Manenti's 26 for Italy.

West Indies defended a sub-par 165. Italy lost three wickets in the powerplay thanks to medium-pacer Matthew Forde, and pacer Shamar Joseph limited Italy in the middle and death overs with 4-30. Joseph also took four catches.

Hope kept the West Indies from floundering, opening the batting and hitting four sixes and six boundaries until he was bowled by Crishan Kalugamage in the 16th over.

In the Super Eights, the West Indies will face 2024 champion India, 2024 runner-up South Africa, and Zimbabwe, which knocked out Australia.

"We'll have to find ways to be more forceful when the crunch time comes,” Hope said. “We have batting depth but we need to be smart. Need to be clinical with strokeplay. Need to capitalize on deliveries. (We're) in good shape going into the Super Eights.”

Italy finished its maiden World Cup appearance with plaudits after stunning Nepal and losing to England narrowly, Scotland and the West Indies. Captain Harry Manenti said he was proud of their ability to stay in the fight.

“We haven't played the perfect game despite showing promise in moments,” Manenti said. “It's important for all associate nations to be funded and well looked after, which is tough. If we keep getting support from the ICC, if we get more cricket, we'll get more competitive. Lack of games have hurt us (but) the more we play the higher are the chances to close out games like this.”

Zadran said he wasn't disappointed to miss out on scoring Afghanistan’s first century in a men’s T20 World Cup.

Zadran's seventh boundary finished Afghanistan’s innings on 200-4 and stranded him on a T20 career-best 95 not out from 56 balls.

Dropped on 54, he still achieved Afghanistan's highest World Cup score, including five sixes.

“To be honest, it (the century) wasn't in my mind," Zadran said, "but we had a discussion before the game, in the circle. Rashid (Khan, captain) said we don't have a T20 World Cup hundred, do your best, you can get one.”

Canada was limited to 118-8, off-spinner Mohammad Nabi taking an outstanding 4-7 off four overs, his career best at age 41.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi throws the ball after fielding during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Afghanistan and Canada in Chennai, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka celebrates his fifty runs during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Italy's Ali Hasan, left, appeals successfully for the wicket of West Indies' Brandon King, right, during the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Italy's Gian Piero Meade plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

West Indies' Shamar Joseph bowls a delivery during the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

West Indies' captain Shai Hope plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

West Indies' captain Shai Hope hits a six during the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

West Indies' captain Shai Hope, left, flips the coin for toss as Italy's captain Wayne Madsen looks on before the start of the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

West Indies' captain Shai Hope right, shake hands with Italy's captain Wayne Madsen before the start of the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — The United States earned a spot in the women's curling semifinals at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Thursday, beating Switzerland 7-6 in a match that went to an extra end.

The Americans will face the Swiss again in Friday's semifinals. Sweden will play Canada, which advanced earlier Thursday.

On the men's side, Canada will play Norway and Switzerland will play Britain Thursday night.

The Americans, skipped by Tabitha Peterson, got past the Swiss in a tense game.

Switzerland tied it at 6-6 with three points in the 10th end. The U.S. had the hammer in the extra end.

Looking nervous, Peterson threw the decisive rock and her teammates swept it into position, just a hair closer to the button than the Swiss' nearest stone.

Canada, led by Rachel Homan, beat South Korea 10-7 to reach the semifinals, capping a remarkable rally after the Canadians began the round robin by losing three of their first four games.

The normally stoic Homan raised her broom in triumph and ran to hug her teammates as they were cheered by crowds waving the Canadian flag.

Sweden has the best record entering the semifinals at 7-2, with losses to South Korea and Canada. Switzerland, the U.S. and Canada are 6-3.

American Cory Thiesse will be seeking her second medal of these Games after she won silver in mixed doubles with Korey Dropkin.

The women's bronze medal game is Saturday, and the gold medal game is Sunday.

The men's semifinal meeting between Canada and Norway will be a repeat of Thursday morning’s game, an 8-6 win for Norway.

Canada's Brad Jacobs said it felt like “deja vu from Sochi.” At the 2014 Winter Games, Canada played China in its last round-robin match and again in the semifinals, and the Canadians went on to win gold.

“We’re experienced with this, done this a lot,” Jacobs said.

Switzerland takes a 9-0 record into the semifinals. It will play Britain, which is 5-4 and sneaked into the fourth and final spot after Canada’s loss to Norway.

“I would say it’s just a very good atmosphere in our group right now,” Swiss skip Yannick Schwaller said. “Everybody is buying into what we’re doing.”

He added that bringing in acclaimed Canadian curler Glenn Howard as the team's coach has been a key component of its success.

Meanwhile, the hopes of the U.S. men were dashed because of Canada's loss. Defending gold medalist Sweden also did not reach the semifinals.

The men will play for the bronze medal on Friday night and the gold medal game is Saturday night.

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Britain's Bruce Mouat in action during the men's curling round robin session against the United States, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Norway's Martin Sesaker, Bendik Ramsfjell and Gaute Nepstad in action during the men's curling round robin session against Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Canada's curling team compete during the men's curling round robin session against Norway at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Sweden's Rasmus Wranaa, Oskar Eriksson and Christoffer Sundgren compete during the men's curling round robin session against Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Italy's Joel Retornaz in action during the men's curling round robin session against Switzerland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Germany's Benjamin Kapp, Felix Messenzehl and Johannes Scheuerl in action during the men's curling round robin session against China at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Switzerland's Schwarz-van Berkel Benoit, Sven Michel and Pablo Lachat-Couchepinin action during the men's curling round robin session against Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)