Zimbabwe Defeat Australia by 23 Runs in T20 World Cup 2026
Colombo: Aus Vs Zim : Zimbabwe delivered one of the standout performances of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, defeating Australia by 23 runs in a crucial Group B encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Zimbabwe Build Competitive Total
Batting first after Australia chose to field, Zimbabwe showed patience early before accelerating smartly. Brian Bennett anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 64 off 56 deliveries, guiding his side to 169/2 in 20 overs.
Tadiwanashe Marumani provided early momentum with a fluent 35, while Ryan Burl added a steady 35 in the middle overs. Captain Sikandar Raza applied late pressure with a quickfire 25* from 13 balls, ensuring Zimbabwe finished strongly.
Zimbabwe Batting Summary
- Brian Bennett – 64* (56)
- Tadiwanashe Marumani – 35 (21)
- Ryan Burl – 35 (30)
- Total – 169/2 (20 overs)
Australia’s Chase Falters Early
Australia’s run chase never fully recovered from early setbacks. Blessing Muzarabani struck in the powerplay, removing key batters and applying scoreboard pressure immediately.
Matt Renshaw battled hard with a determined 65 from 44 balls, but lacked sustained support from the other end. Glenn Maxwell contributed 31, yet Zimbabwe’s disciplined fielding and tight bowling restricted scoring opportunities.
Australia Batting Highlights
- Matt Renshaw – 65 (44)
- Glenn Maxwell – 31 (32)
- Total – 146 all out (19.3 overs)
Muzarabani Leads Zimbabwe’s Bowling Attack
Blessing Muzarabani delivered a match-winning spell, finishing with figures of 4/17 in four overs. Brad Evans chipped in with three crucial wickets, ensuring Australia were bowled out before completing their 20 overs.
Top Bowling Figures
- Blessing Muzarabani – 4/17
- Brad Evans – 3/23
- Ryan Burl – 1 wicket
Powerplay Comparison
Zimbabwe scored 47 runs in the mandatory powerplay without losing control. In contrast, Australia managed just 38 runs and lost early wickets, which ultimately shaped the contest.
What This Means for Group B
The result significantly strengthens Zimbabwe’s campaign in Group B, while Australia face pressure heading into their remaining fixtures. The upset reinforces Zimbabwe’s growing confidence on the global stage.
Full Match Summary
- Match: Australia vs Zimbabwe – 19th Match, Group B
- Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- Result: Zimbabwe won by 23 runs
- Zimbabwe: 169/2 (20 overs)
- Australia: 146 all out (19.3 overs)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won AUS vs ZIM in T20 World Cup 2026?
Zimbabwe defeated Australia by 23 runs in the Group B clash.
Who scored the most runs in the match?
Brian Bennett remained unbeaten on 64 for Zimbabwe, while Matt Renshaw top-scored for Australia with 65.
Who took the most wickets?
Blessing Muzarabani led the bowling effort with four wickets.
How did this impact the points table?
Zimbabwe strengthened their position in Group B, while Australia will need victories in upcoming matches to stay competitive.