Zimbabwe defeated a weakened Australia for 146 points by 23 runs, ending up as one of the favorites to win the 2026 T20 World Cup.
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Published February 13, 2026
Zimbabwe delivered the biggest shock of the T20 World Cup so far by defeating a physically weakened Australia by 23 points in Colombo.
After posting 169-2 in 20 overs on Friday, Zimbabwe made it 29-4 against Australia, thanks largely to Brian Bennett’s classy 64 not out, before dismissing them for 146 in 19.3 overs.
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Zimbabwe, ranked 11th in the rankings, always took control against their second-placed opponents after opening bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans broke through Australia’s top order in the Group B match at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
There were some sensational scenes at the venue, as a group of Zimbabwean fans wearing team jerseys celebrated the victory with a traditional dance.
Muzarabani was the bowler of choice and finished with 4 wins and 17 losses.
Australia left their rearguard hopes of victory alive when Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw made 77 for the fifth wicket.
But when part-time leg-spinner Ryan Buhr forced Maxwell, one of the greats of the short game, to drag him to the stumps for 31, they were never able to follow, falling from 106-4 to 146-0.
Bennett, the opening batsman, hit an unbeaten 64 off 56 balls, but it was an exercise in controlled aggression as he rarely went into the air and found boundaries seven times.
It was the 22-year-old’s 10th half-century in T20 internationals.
Bennett and Ryan Buhr scored 70 for the second wicket, setting a record for Zimbabwe in a T20 World Cup, following Tadiwanashe Malumani’s opening stand of 61.
Zimbabwe defeated Oman in the opening match.
Australia beat Ireland on Wednesday, but with games against co-hosts Sri Lanka and Oman coming up, another loss could mean they get on a flight home after the group stage.
Without captain Mitchell Marsh and previously ruled out pace spearheads Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the second leg, Australia’s campaign in the 20-nation tournament is in danger of collapsing at the first hurdle.
The former champions were left with further worries after Marcus Stoinis was hit on his left palm while attempting a return catch midway through the third over.
The all-rounder left the field in pain and took the turn to bat, scoring just six points.
One bright spot is that power batsman Tim David, who missed Ireland’s win, has been named in the squad.
However, he made a two-ball duck in his first game since injuring his hamstring in the Big Bash League.
