New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Women T20 World Cup Preview & Tips - New Zealand tipped to crucial World Cup win

Sri Lanka Women were easily beaten by England in the first match of the World Cup in 2026. 

New Zealand have won eight of their last 10 T20 meetings against Sri Lanka with the latter only managing to secure two wins in this time. 

New Zealand were not at their best in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup as the defence of their title began with a seven-wicket loss to the West Indies. 

Batting first, New Zealand notched a score of 162/6 with Brooke Halliday (40 from 32) top scoring. The reigning champions would have known they would have needed a big bowling performance to keep the West Indies honest, but their failure to remove Shemaine Campbelle (90 from 62) proved fatal as the wicketkeeper-batter surged to a match-winning score. 

New Zealand's inability to take wickets will be in the spotlight in their match against Sri Lanka, with their opponents looking to dry up the wickets and score runs. This makes runs scoring even more important for the world champions as they try to ensure that if they are to struggle to bowl Sri Lanka out, then they will at least be able to outscore Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka Women were completely outplayed by England in their opening match as they failed to take advantage of any kind of jitters the tournament hosts might have. 

Bowling first, Sri Lanka saw England hammer their way to 219/1 as they failed to remove an inspired Danni Wyatt-Hodge (105 not out from 62). When batting, Sri Lanka lost regular wickets in their chase. While they did well to go from 92/8 to 131/8, they were too far short of their target as they slumped to 132 all out. 

While Sri Lanka have won two of their last four against New Zealand, they have lost eight of their last 10. New Zealand are in desperate need of a win, and I back Sri Lanka's worrying run against their opponents to continue.