Zimbabwe produced a sensational performance to defeat Australia by 23 runs, registering their second group-stage victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at R. Premadasa Stadium.
Zimbabwe set a competitive total of 169/2 in 20 overs, with openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani laying a strong foundation, while skipper Sikandar Raza provided a quick finishing cameo.
The 2021 champions stumbled early in their batting, losing key wickets to disciplined Zimbabwe bowling and were eventually bowled out for 146, falling 23 runs short of the target in dramatic fashion.
Toss
While invited to bat first, Zimbabwe started confidently with openers Bennett and Marumani putting on a 61-run partnership, Marumani scoring 35 off 21 balls including seven boundaries.
Bennett then partnered with Ryan Burl, adding 70 runs and reaching his tenth T20I fifty, keeping the scoreboard ticking and guiding Zimbabwe past the 100-run mark in dominant fashion.
Burl was run out for 35 off 30 balls, leaving Zimbabwe at 131-2 in 16 overs, before skipper Sikandar Raza contributed a quick cameo of 25 off 13 deliveries, including a four and a six.
Zimbabwe finished strongly at 169-2 in 20 overs, with Bennett unbeaten on 64 off 56 balls featuring seven fours, while Raza ensured momentum carried through the end against challenging bowling attack.
Key moments: Australia collapse and Zimbabwe bowling brilliance
Australia began poorly as Josh Inglis was dismissed for eight off four balls by Blessing Muzarabani, followed by Brad Evans removing Cameron Green for a second-ball duck at 24-2 in 2.5 overs.
Muzarabani struck again to remove Tim David for a duck, while Travis Head scored 17 off 15 balls before falling, leaving Australia reeling at 29-4 in just 4.3 overs.
Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw rebuilt the innings with a 77-run partnership, but Ryan Burl dismissed Maxwell for 31, leaving Australia 106-5 in 14.2 overs and struggling under pressure.
In the final overs, Muzarabani dismissed Renshaw for 65, then Adam Zampa, while Matthew Kuhnemann was run out, leaving Australia 23 runs short, with Zimbabwe’s bowling dominating the critical phases of the match.
Player of Match
Muzarabani led Zimbabwe’s bowling with figures of 4/23 in 3.3 overs, taking crucial top-order wickets and triggering Australia’s early collapse, making him the decisive influence in the match.
His pace, accuracy, and timely breakthroughs earned him the Man of the Match award, highlighting his dominant performance in securing Zimbabwe’s stunning 23-run victory over Australia.
