Zimbabwe upset Australia by 23 runs in their second match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday, powered by a career-best bowling display from Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans, and a gutsy 64 not out from Brian Bennett.
Batting first, Zimbabwe posted 169/2 in 20 overs. Openers Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani put on 61 for the first wicket before Marumani was dismissed for 35 off 21 balls. Ryan Burl added 35, and Bennett remained unbeaten on 64 off 56 balls, steering Zimbabwe to a competitive total.
Australia’s chase began poorly. Muzarabani struck with the first ball of the innings to dismiss opener Josh Inglis, and Cameron Green followed for a duck in the next over. Tim David fell for a duck in the third over, and stand-in captain Travis Head was dismissed for 17, leaving Australia at 38/4 at the end of the powerplay.
Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw staged a recovery with a 77-run partnership, but Maxwell was bowled by Ryan Burl for 31 off 32 balls, and Renshaw was dismissed for 65 off 44 balls. Marcus Stoinis, who had picked up an injury during Zimbabwe’s innings, managed just six runs before departing.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers dominated throughout. Muzarabani took four wickets for 17 runs, Evans three for 23, while Burl and Wellington Masakadza claimed one each. Australia were bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs.
The victory marked Zimbabwe’s second T20 World Cup win over Australia, having previously defeated them in the inaugural 2007 edition.
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 169/2 in 20 overs (B. Bennett 64*, R. Burl 35, T. Marumani 35; C. Green 1-6, M. Stoinis 1-17) beat Australia 146/10 in 19.3 overs (M. Renshaw 65, G. Maxwell 31; B. Muzarabani 4-17, B. Evans 3-23) by 23 runs.
(IANS)
