Colombo (Rajeev Sharma): Zimbabwe delivered a commanding all-round performance to pull off a major upset in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup, defeating former champions Australia by 23 runs on Friday.
The victory marked only the second time Zimbabwe have beaten Australia in a T20 World Cup, the previous win coming in the 2007 tournament.
After being put in to bat, Zimbabwe posted a competitive total of 169 for 2 in their 20 overs. Opener Brian Bennett led the effort with a composed unbeaten 64 off 56 balls, hitting seven boundaries. He received solid support from Tadiwanashe Marumani and Ryan Burl, who scored 35 runs each. Captain Sikandar Raza provided a late flourish with a quick unbeaten 25 from 13 deliveries.
Zimbabwe were well placed at 125 for 1 after 15 overs, but Australia’s bowlers pulled things back in the death overs, conceding just 44 runs in the final five.
Australia’s chase of 170 never gained momentum as early wickets derailed their innings. The top order struggled, with Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Cameron Green and Tim David dismissed cheaply, leaving the team reeling at 29 for 4 inside the first five overs.
Matt Renshaw fought back with a determined 65 off 44 balls, while Glenn Maxwell contributed 31 during a 77-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, Ryan Burl broke the stand when Maxwell chopped the ball onto his stumps, triggering another collapse.
With 56 required from the last five overs, Australia failed to keep pace as wickets fell at regular intervals. Marcus Stoinis, who had earlier injured his hand in the field, managed only six runs. Bennett then produced a sharp catch at the boundary to dismiss Ben Dwarshuis.
The pressure mounted further as Australia lost Renshaw, Adam Zampa and Matthew Kuhnemann in the closing stages, eventually being bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers shared the workload effectively, with Blessing Muzarabani leading the attack with impressive figures of 4 for 17. Brad Evans picked up three wickets for 23, while Wellington Masakadza and Burl claimed one each.
The result was a memorable win for Zimbabwe and highlighted Australia’s struggles in the absence of key fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, whose experience was missed on a slow Colombo surface
