In a spectacular display of cricketing prowess, Zimbabwe delivered one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history by defeating former champions Australia by 23 runs in Colombo on Friday. The victory marks Zimbabwe’s second consecutive win in Group B, positioning them as unexpected frontrunners in the tournament.
Facing Australia for the first time in a T20 World Cup encounter in 19 years, Zimbabwe demonstrated remarkable composure after being asked to bat first. Opener Brian Bennett anchored the innings with an unbeaten 64, forming crucial partnerships throughout the order. The team reached 47 without loss during the powerplay overs, setting a foundation that would ultimately prove insurmountable for the Australians.
Australia’s chase began disastrously, losing four wickets within the first five overs. Despite a valiant effort from Matt Renshaw who scored 65, and Glenn Maxwell’s contribution of 31, the team collapsed to 146 all out in 19.3 overs. Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Blessing Muzarabani’s exceptional figures of 4-17, maintained relentless pressure on the Australian batters throughout the innings.
The match featured several turning points, including a concerning moment when Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis left the field after being struck on the hand while attempting to stop a powerful shot from Ryan Burl. Zimbabwe’s middle order, particularly the 70-run partnership between Bennett and Burl, proved decisive in building their competitive total of 169-2.
This defeat represents a significant setback for Australia’s campaign to reach the Super Eight stage, while Zimbabwe continues their unbeaten run in the tournament, having previously dominated Oman in their opening match. The victory signals a resurgence for Zimbabwean cricket on the world stage and demonstrates the unpredictable nature of T20 international competition.