Kusal Mendis stumped for the first time in T20 International career

By Moiz Mustafa

Colombo, February 19 (Daily Mirror) - Kusal Mendis experienced a rare moment in his T20 career during Sri Lanka’s clash against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, as he was stumped for the first time in 104 innings. The breakthrough came courtesy of Ryan Burl, who produced a beautifully disguised delivery to outfox the in-form batter.

Burl gave the ball a generous flight on a fullish length outside off. It drifted in through the air before sharply spinning away from the surface. Mendis, shaping for an expansive cover drive, was beaten by the turn and bounce. The ball zipped past the outside edge, and wicketkeeper Clive Marumani completed a neat stumping as Mendis overbalanced and was stranded outside his crease. He departed for 14 off 20 balls, without a boundary, at a strike rate of 70, a rare quiet outing in an otherwise outstanding campaign.

Despite the dismissal, Mendis remains one of the standout performers of the tournament. Earlier in the T20 World Cup 2026, he became just the fifth player in history to score three consecutive half-centuries in the competition. In achieving the feat, he joined an elite group featuring Mahela Jayawardene, Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, and KL Rahul. While this innings ended in disappointment, his consistency and impact continue to underline his importance to Sri Lanka’s World Cup ambitions.