2 min readUpdated: Feb 13, 2026 03:08 PM IST
Zimbabwe on Friday stunned former champions Australia by 23 runs in the 2026 T20 World Cup Group B match between the two sides at the R Premadasa Stadium. Chasing a target of 170, Australia were sent packing for a score of 146. Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani led the way with figures of 4/17.
Zimbabwe picked as many as four wickets in the powerplay, leaving Australia tottering at 29/4 at one point. Muzarabani and Brad Evans removed Australia’s Josh Inglis, Cam Green, Tim David and Travis Head within the first four overs. Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw then held up the Australian hopes for a while but they could never quite get going at a decent run rate. Maxwell eventually fell after an uncharacteristically sluggish innings, putting together just 31 runs in 32 balls.
Asked to bat first, Zimbabwe made 169/2, riding on a half century by opener Brian Bennett and useful contribution lower down from captain Sikandar Raza. Zimbabwe earlier started with a 61-run opening stand between Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani. Australia, who are reeeling from injuries to a number of key players, looked in with a chance of seeing them off after the powerplay, when then dismissed Marumani on 35 off 21 balls and then slowed down Zimbabwe’s progress in the middle overs.
However, captain Raza then came and shifted gears to give Zimbabwe the late burst they were looking for, Raza finished unbeaten on 25 off 13 balls, hitting the only six of the Zimbabwe innings off the last ball of the last over.
To be updated…