Zimbabwe remained undefeated against Australia in T20 World Cups after a 23 run win in Colombo that has tightened Group B. Blessing Muzarabani produced career best figures of four for 17 from four overs, with Brad Evans taking three for 23. Brian Bennett anchored the innings with 64 not out as Zimbabwe posted 169 for two on a slow surface.
Australia never settled in the chase. Matt Renshaw made 65 from 44 balls and kept the pursuit alive into the closing overs. Zimbabwe backed their batting display with strong fielding and disciplined bowling to protect the total and strengthen their chances of reaching the Super Eight stage.
Australia chose to bowl first on a fresh daytime pitch. Zimbabwe built their total through steady contributions from the top order. Bennett’s 56 ball innings provided the platform, with support from Tadiwanashe Marumani, Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza. Australia managed only two wickets across 20 overs.
The result came after Zimbabwe lost Brendan Taylor to a hamstring injury before the tournament. The side now sit close to qualification for the Super Eight stage. Australia must beat Sri Lanka and Oman in Pallekele to progress.
Marumani gave Zimbabwe early momentum with 35 from 21 balls after a cautious start from Bennett. Ben Dwarshuis and Marcus Stoinis found swing and bounce in the opening overs and Zimbabwe did not hit a boundary in the first two overs. Marumani then attacked, striking boundaries off Dwarshuis and playing reverse sweeps and a conventional sweep against Glenn Maxwell before falling to Stoinis.
Zimbabwe reached 79 for one at the halfway stage. A target of 190 was discussed in the dressing room. Sikandar Raza urged a measured approach after recalling conditions from a 2025 tour to Sri Lanka. Bennett and Burl kept control, limited risk and targeted gaps. Bennett reached his tenth T20I half century, his first in a World Cup, from 43 balls.
Burl made 35 from 30 and struck a straight drive that hit Stoinis on the hand and forced him from the attack after 2.5 overs. Burl fell to Cameron Green. Raza closed the innings with 25 not out from 13 balls, including two fours and a six from the final delivery to take Zimbabwe to 169 for two.
Australia lost four wickets inside 4.3 overs of the chase as Muzarabani and Evans applied pressure with line and length. Muzarabani removed Josh Inglis and Tim David with short balls that forced miscued pulls. Evans dismissed Cameron Green early and restricted Travis Head with tight lines. Head eventually edged onto his stumps while attempting to drive.
Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell added 77 for the fifth wicket. Maxwell made 31 from 32 balls and struggled for timing. Tony Munyonga and substitute Clive Madande saved runs on the boundary. Maxwell fell when he dragged Burl onto his stumps. Stoinis holed out soon after while dealing with his hand injury. Munyonga then took a catch at deep midwicket to remove Dwarshuis.
Renshaw continued to accumulate with sweeps and drives. His innings ended in the 19th over when he mistimed a slower ball from Muzarabani and was caught at mid off. Muzarabani then hit the base of Nathan Ellis’ leg stump to claim his fourth wicket. Matt Kuhnemann was run out by Evans in the final over as Zimbabwe secured the win and celebrated with supporters in the stands.
