Shock in Colombo! Zimbabwe stun Aussies as Muzarabani, Bennett script T20 WC classic

Zimbabwe produced 1 of the biggest surprises of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, defeating injury-hit Australia by 23 runs successful a gripping Group B clash connected Friday. It marked lone the 2nd clip the African broadside has toppled the erstwhile champions successful this format, reviving memories of their celebrated 2007 triumph.

Built connected a calm batting effort and a ruthless bowling display, Zimbabwe’s corporate show outclassed a broadside that ne'er genuinely recovered from an aboriginal collapse.SCORECARD: Australia vs Zimbabwe, T20 World CupAfter being asked to bat, Zimbabwe posted a competitory 169 for 2 connected a sluggish surface, with opener Brian Bennett anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 64. Australia’s pursuit faltered astir immediately, and contempt absorption from the mediate order, they were bowled retired for 146 successful 19.3 overs, handing Zimbabwe a celebrated triumph that has thrown Group B wide open.

The large talking points of the thrilling lucifer astatine R Premadasa Stadium successful Colombo:Early illness sets the toneAustralia’s pursuit of 170 turned disastrous wrong the Powerplay arsenic 4 wickets fell for conscionable 29 runs. The dismissals of Travis Head, Cameron Green and Tim David near the batting line-up nether immense pressure, forcing them into a rebuilding mode connected a transportation that offered assistance to disciplined bowling. Zimbabwe’s seamers kept things tight, refusing to let boundaries during important phases and ensuring the asking complaint climbed steadily.

Bennett leads a astute batting blueprintZimbabwe’s innings was built connected patience alternatively than brute force. Bennett’s composed knock, featuring 7 boundaries, allowed partners to rotate onslaught and support the scoreboard ticking. Tadiwanashe Marumani’s brisk 35 and a precocious flourish from skipper Sikandar Raza ensured the broadside crossed the 160-mark, which proved much than capable connected a dilatory track. Even though the decease overs were controlled good by Australia, Zimbabwe’s measured attack had already laid a winning platform.Muzarabani’s fiery spell breaks Australia’s backboneThe defining signifier of the lucifer came with the ball, arsenic Blessing Muzarabani produced a sensational spell of gait and accuracy, returning figures of 4/17. Supported by Brad Evans and Wellington Masakadza, Zimbabwe maintained relentless pressure. Each breakthrough halted Australia’s momentum conscionable arsenic they threatened a comeback, turning the pursuit into a conflict against some the scoreboard and disciplined bowling.Maxwell–Renshaw basal sparks hope, but Burl delivers the blowAustralia concisely revived their chances done a 77-run concern betwixt Matt Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell. Their basal steadied the innings and brought the equation down to a manageable complaint earlier Ryan Burl struck a decisive blow, dismissing Maxwell and triggering different collapse. A stunning bound drawback from Bennett and crisp fielding successful the closing overs sealed Zimbabwe’s dominance, with a melodramatic run-out of Matthew Kuhnemann ending the contest.