T20 World Cup 2026: Zimbabwe defeat Australia by 23 runs in historic upset

Colombo (Web Desk): Zimbabwe pulled off a shock 23-run win over Australia in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group match in Colombo on Friday, stunning the favourites in a thrilling contest.
Chasing 170 to win, Australia fell short and were bowled out for 146 in a tense finish.

The Australian innings got off to a shaky start. Opener Josh Inglis managed only eight runs from four balls, including a six, before being dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani.

Things got worse in the next over when Brad Evans sent Cameron Green back for a second-ball duck, leaving Australia struggling at 24-2 after just 2.5 overs. Muzarabani struck again soon after, removing Tim David for a duck, and the pressure kept mounting.

Stand-in captain Travis Head tried to steady the ship, scoring 17 off 15 balls with three solid fours, but his wicket left Australia in deep trouble at 29-4 in 4.3 overs. Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw then put together a 77-run partnership, helping Australia cross 50 and giving hope for a comeback.

Zimbabwe fought back fiercely. Ryan Burl broke the partnership in his very first over, sending Maxwell back for 31 runs off 32 balls, leaving Australia at 106-5 in 14.2 overs. Wellington Masakadza trapped Marcus Stoinis for six off four balls in the 16th over, leaving the Australians needing 53 runs from 25 balls.

Renshaw battled on and reached a well-earned fifty, but Brad Evans removed Ben Dwarshuis for six, reducing the team to 131-7 in 17.4 overs.

The final moments were dramatic: Muzarabani dismissed Renshaw for 65 off 44 balls, which included five fours and a six, and also got Adam Zampa. The last wicket fell when Matthew Kuhnemann was run out, leaving Australia 23 runs short of the target.

Zimbabwe had set the tone from the start. Openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani shared a 61-run partnership to give their team a flying start. Marumani was dismissed by Marcus Stoinis for 35 off 21 balls, including seven boundaries, breaking the stand.

Bennett then joined Ryan Burl, and together they added 70 runs to guide Zimbabwe past the 100-run mark. Bennett reached his 10th T20I fifty, while Burl contributed 35 off 30 balls before being run out, leaving Zimbabwe at 131-2 in 16 overs.

Captain Sikandar Raza came in and played a quick, aggressive cameo to help Zimbabwe cross 150.

The Chevrons finished strong, losing only two wickets in their 20 overs. Bennett remained unbeaten on 64 off 56 balls with seven fours, while Raza added 25 off 13 balls, hitting two fours and a six.

For Australia, Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green took one wicket each, but the rest of the bowling attack couldn’t stop Zimbabwe from posting a competitive total and then defending it brilliantly.