Zimbabwe stun Australia
Zimbabwe produced the first major surprise of the Men’s T20 World Cup, beating Australia by 23 runs in Group B in Colombo on Friday.
After Australia won the toss and chose to field, Zimbabwe posted 169-2 and then held their nerve as a late cluster of wickets derailed the chase, bowling Australia out for 146 with three balls remaining.
Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani led the way with 4-17, while Brad Evans claimed 3-23 to leave Australia four down inside the powerplay and constantly chasing the game.
Bennett anchors Zimbabwe before Raza’s late surge
Zimbabwe’s innings was built around opener Brian Bennett, who made an unbeaten 64 from 56 balls to provide stability on a surface that rewarded discipline.
Tadiwanashe Marumani (35) and Ryan Burl (35) added brisk runs through the middle, before captain Sikandar Raza injected late momentum, striking 25 from 13 deliveries as Zimbabwe pushed beyond what had looked a par score.
Australia’s bowlers largely kept a lid on the damage, but the lack of breakthroughs early on meant Zimbabwe always had a platform to accelerate.
Australia’s reply falters despite Renshaw resistance
Chasing 170, Australia’s innings never settled. Muzarabani and Evans struck repeatedly up front, removing four batters during the powerplay and forcing a rebuild.
Matt Renshaw, playing his first T20 World Cup match, tried to haul Australia back with 65 from 44 balls, while Glenn Maxwell contributed 31 from 32.
But as the required rate climbed, Zimbabwe’s fielding and bowling tightened. Tony Munyonga’s full-length, diving catch to dismiss Ben Dwarshuis became the moment that summed up Zimbabwe’s night — athletic, alert and unafraid.
With wickets falling in quick succession at the death, Australia’s chase fizzled out at 146 in 19.3 overs.
Familiar World Cup memory for Zimbabwe
The result was Zimbabwe’s second successive win in Group B and echoed a famous moment from the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, when Zimbabwe also beat Australia, one of the best teams in the sport, then by five wickets.
Australia were led by Travis Head in the absence of regular captain Mitchell Marsh, who is recovering from a groin injury sustained in training and has already missed the win over Ireland earlier in the group stage.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, left Colombo with momentum — and a statement victory that could reshape the race for qualification.
