In a stunning upset at the 2026 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe defeated former champions Australia by 23 runs in a Group B clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday. Chasing a target of 170, Australia were bowled out for 146, with fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani leading Zimbabwe’s attack with remarkable figures of 4/17.
The win propels Zimbabwe to second place in Group B, level on points with leaders Sri Lanka, while Australia remain third with two points from two matches. Only the top two teams from each group advance to the Super Eights.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers dominated early, claiming four wickets in the powerplay, leaving Australia reeling at 29/4. Muzarabani and Brad Evans dismissed key Australian batsmen Josh Inglis, Cam Green, Tim David, and Travis Head within the first four overs. Despite some resistance from Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw, Australia could never maintain a competitive run rate. Maxwell scored 31 runs off 32 balls in a sluggish innings.
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Batting first, Zimbabwe posted 169/2, anchored by a half-century from opener Brian Bennett and crucial contributions from captain Sikandar Raza. The innings began with a 61-run opening stand between Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani, setting the foundation for a strong total.
Australia briefly gained momentum after dismissing Marumani for 35, but the introduction of bowlers Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Maxwell failed to halt Zimbabwe’s scoring. Bennett pushed Zimbabwe past the 100-run mark in the 13th over, reaching his half-century and building a 70-run partnership with Ryan Burl.
A blow for Australia came when Marcus Stoinis left the field after being hit on the hand by a powerful shot from Burl, who was dismissed for 35 in the 16th over. Despite efforts from Zampa and Nathan Ellis, Zimbabwe’s captain Raza accelerated the scoring late in the innings, finishing unbeaten on 25 off 13 balls, smashing the only six of the Zimbabwe innings off the final ball of the last over.
This result marks Zimbabwe’s first major upset of the 2026 T20 World Cup, leaving Australia under pressure to win their remaining group matches.
