Brian Bennett’s resolute 64* off 56 balls and a collective bowling effort led by Blessing Muzarabani’s career-best 4/17 powered Zimbabwe to a stunning 23-run victory over Australia at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
After Australia won the toss and chose to field, Zimbabwe’s openers laid a solid foundation with a 57-run partnership before Bennett anchored the innings with support from Tadiwanashe Marumani (35 off 21 balls) and Ryan Burl (35 off 30). Sikandar Raza’s quickfire 25* off 13 balls pushed Zimbabwe to 169/2.
Chasing a modest target, Australia started brightly, reaching 57/1 in the powerplay with Matt Renshaw looking composed. However, the introduction of spin triggered a dramatic collapse as wickets tumbled regularly. Despite Renshaw’s fighting 65 off 44 balls, Australia lost their last nine wickets for just 89 runs.
Brad Evans’ sensational catch by Tony Munyonga and clinical death bowling sealed Zimbabwe’s second-ever T20 World Cup victory over Australia.
ZIM vs AUS Match 19 T20I WC – Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Zimbabwe vs Australia, T20 World Cup, Group B |
| Venue | R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Result | Zimbabwe won by 23 runs |
| Zimbabwe | 169/2 (20 overs) |
| Australia | 146 (19.3 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Blessing Muzarabani (4/17) |
| Toss | Australia won and chose to field |
First Innings Highlights
Zimbabwe got off to a cautious but steady start, with openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani navigating the new ball carefully. Marumani provided the early momentum with an aggressive 35 off 21 balls, striking 7 boundaries including three consecutive fours off Glenn Maxwell’s first over.
Australia burned an early review attempting to dismiss Bennett. The partnership of 57 for the first wicket set the platform before Marcus Stoinis broke through, having Marumani caught behind. Ryan Burl joined Bennett and the pair added a crucial 74-run stand for the second wicket.
Burl scored a composed 35 off 30 balls with 4 boundaries before falling to Cameron Green in the 16th over. Captain Sikandar Raza then unleashed at the death, smashing 25* off just 13 balls to propel Zimbabwe to a competitive 169/2. Bennett remained unbeaten on 64 off 56 balls, anchoring the innings throughout. Australia’s bowlers struggled to take wickets, with no bowler claiming more than one dismissal.
First Innings Best Performers
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Brian Bennett | 64* runs (56 balls) |
| Best Bowler | Cameron Green | 1.1-0-6-1 |
Second Innings Highlights
Australia began their chase aggressively with Josh Inglis striking a six off Sikandar Raza’s first over, but fell immediately to Blessing Muzarabani’s first delivery, caught in the deep for 8. Travis Head contributed 17 off 15 balls (3 fours) before being bowled by Brad Evans via an inside edge.
Cameron Green departed for a duck, caught behind off Evans, leaving Australia at 24/2. The rebuilding process fell to Matt Renshaw, who played a lone hand with a composed 65 off 44 balls (5 fours, 1 six). However, wickets kept falling at the other end. Glenn Maxwell struggled for 31 off 32 balls before being bowled by Ryan Burl.
Marcus Stoinis was dismissed by Wellington Masakadza after a stunning catch by Tony Munyonga, which was one of the catches of the tournament. The collapse continued as Muzarabani returned to wreak havoc, claiming four wickets including cleaning up Renshaw and Adam Zampa. Brad Evans completed the victory with a direct-hit run-out in the final over as Australia were bowled out for 146.
Second Innings Best Performers
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Matt Renshaw | 65 runs (44 balls, 5×4, 1×6) |
| Best Bowler | Blessing Muzarabani | 4-0-17-4 |
