Zimbabwe Pull Off Epic Upset: Beat Australia by 23 Runs in T20 World Cup 2026 Group B Clash at R Premadasa

Colombo woke up to overcast skies on February 13, 2026, and by the time the floodlights kicked in at the R Premadasa Stadium, Zimbabwe had scripted one of the greatest upsets in T20 World Cup history. In a match that will be talked about for years—especially in Harare pubs and cricket circles across the associate world—Zimbabwe stunned the mighty Australians by 23 runs, defending a modest but hard-earned 169/2 to bowl out the five-time ODI world champions for just 146 in 19.3 overs.

This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Zimbabwe, often written off before a ball is bowled in these big tournaments, reminded everyone why cricket’s shortest format is the great leveller. Blessing Muzarabani, the lanky paceman with a smile as wide as his run-up is long, tore through Australia’s top order with career-best figures of 4/17, earning Player of the Match honours. Brad Evans chipped in with 3/23, and the fielders—oh, the fielders—pulled off catches that belonged on highlight reels for decades.

For Australia, standing in as one of the pre-tournament favourites despite missing key players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and the injured Mitchell Marsh, this was a reality check. Travis Head led the side, but his decision to bowl first backfired spectacularly on a pitch that slowed down under lights and in humid conditions. Matt Renshaw fought valiantly with 65 off 44 balls, but once he fell, the tail crumbled like a house of cards.

Coming into this game, Group B looked straightforward on paper: Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka as the heavyweights, with Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman fighting for scraps. But cricket, especially T20 cricket, doesn’t care about reputations. Zimbabwe now have two wins from two—having already beaten Oman earlier—and suddenly the Super 8 race is wide open. Australia, with a heavy net run rate dent, will need to win big in their remaining games to recover.

Let’s dive deep into how this unforgettable day unfolded, over by over, wicket by wicket, and why this result could be a turning point not just for Zimbabwean cricket, but for the entire associate landscape.

The Toss and Early Signs

Australia won the toss and chose to field, banking on their pace attack to exploit any early movement and then chase under lights. It was a decision that looked smart in theory—dew was expected later—but the pitch at RPS had other ideas. It was two-paced from the start, with the ball holding up occasionally and spin coming into play as the innings progressed.

Zimbabwe, missing Brendan Taylor due to a hamstring niggle from their previous game, sent out Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brian Bennett to open. Tony Munyonga came in as replacement, adding youthful energy to the lineup.

Zimbabwe’s Innings: Steady Start, Explosive Finish

The African side got off to a cautious beginning. Ben Dwarshuis and Marcus Stoinis—filling in for the rested big guns—bowled tight lines, swinging the ball under cloudy skies. No boundaries in the first two overs, and Zimbabwe were happy to rotate strike.

Marumani broke the shackles in style. The young left-hander took a liking to Dwarshuis’s short stuff, pulling him for two boundaries and then reverse-sweeping Glenn Maxwell for four. He looked in sublime touch, racing to 35 off just 21 balls with some audacious strokes, including a sweep that flew over the keeper.

But Stoinis struck in the 8th over, inducing an edge from Marumani that Josh Inglis pouched safely. At 61/1, Zimbabwe needed stability, and Brian Bennett provided exactly that. The 22-year-old, playing in only his second World Cup match, anchored the innings with maturity beyond his years.

He found an able partner in Ryan Burl, and the pair added a crucial 50-plus stand. Bennett brought up his fifty off 43 balls with a classy drive through covers, while Burl mixed caution with aggression. Drinks came at 118/1 after 14 overs—Zimbabwe nicely placed.

Then came the late acceleration that proved decisive. Sikandar Raza, promoted up the order, walked in after Burl fell for 35 (caught at short third off a top-edge pull). Raza wasted no time, flicking a yorker from Nathan Ellis for six on the last ball of the innings and finishing unbeaten on ۲۵ off 13. Bennett carried his bat for 64* off 56, a knock full of nudges, drives, and the occasional cut shot that kept the scoreboard ticking.

Zimbabwe reached 169/2—a total that looked around par on a slowing track. Australia had burned reviews early, and their bowlers, apart from Stoinis, lacked bite. Ellis went for plenty in the death, and Zampa couldn’t find his usual wicket-taking groove.

Australia’s Chase: Powerplay Nightmare

If Zimbabwe’s innings was about building partnerships, Australia’s was a masterclass in how quickly T20 games can slip away. Muzarabani, swinging the new ball at pace, struck with his very first delivery. Josh Inglis tried to pull a short one but skied it to deep square leg, where Dion Myers took a diving catch. 13/1.

Cameron Green, pushed up the order, lasted just two balls—a cross-seamer from Brad Evans took a feather edge to the keeper. Duck. 24/2.

Tim David, the big-hitting finisher, was next. Muzarabani angled one across, David top-edged a pull, and short fine leg pouched it. Another duck. 25/3.

Captain Travis Head tried to counter-attack, smashing a couple of boundaries, but Evans got one to nip back and chop onto the stumps. Head bowled for 17. 29/4 after just 4.3 overs. The powerplay ended at a disastrous 38/4. Australia were staring down the barrel.

The Fightback and Final Collapse

Credit to Matt Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell—they added 77 for the fifth wicket, the highest partnership of the match. Renshaw, playing his first game of the tournament, was fluent, driving and pulling with authority to reach fifty off 34 balls. Maxwell, as always, threatened mayhem, clearing the ropes once and rotating strike cleverly.

At drinks (105/4 after 14 overs), Australia needed a manageable 65 off 36. Hope flickered.

But Raza’s introduction changed everything. Maxwell dragged one on while trying to force the pace—bowled for 31. 106/5.

Marcus Stoinis holed out to deep midwicket off Wellington Masakadza for 6. 117/6.

Ben Dwarshuis pulled bravely but was sensationally caught by Tony Munyonga—a diving effort at deep midwicket that drew roars from the Zimbabwe dugout. 131/7.

Renshaw kept fighting, but Muzarabani returned to have him caught at mid-off for a brilliant 65. 139/8.

The end came quickly: Zampa bowled by a pinpoint yorker (Muzarabani’s fourth), Ellis caught, and Matthew Kuhnemann run out on the last ball. 146 all out.

Zimbabwe’s fielding was electric—Munyonga’s catch, Marumani’s sharp keeping, and relentless pressure from the bowlers. Muzarabani’s spell was pure fire: swinging it early, varying pace later, and hitting the 100 T20I wickets milestone in style.

Complete Scorecard

Zimbabwe Innings (20 overs, 169/2, RR: 8.45)

Extras: 10 (b 1, lb 3, w 6, nb 0) Total: 169/2 (20 overs)

Fall of Wickets: 1-61 (Marumani, 7.3 ov), 2-131 (Burl, 16.7 ov? approximate from details)

Australia Bowling

Australia Innings (19.3 overs, 146 all out, RR: 7.48, Target: 170)

Extras: Approx 6-8 (from total) Total: 146 (19.3 overs)

Fall of Wickets (approximate from key moments): 1-13 (Inglis, 1.1 ov), 2-24 (Green, 2.5 ov), 3-25 (David, 3.2 ov), 4-29 (Head, 4.3 ov), 5-106 (Maxwell, 14.2 ov), 6-117 (Stoinis, 15.4 ov), 7-131 (Dwarshuis, 17.4 ov), 8-139 (Renshaw, 18.4 ov), 9-141 (Zampa, 18.6 ov), 10-146 (Kuhnemann, 19.3 ov)

Zimbabwe Bowling

What This Means for the Tournament

Zimbabwe’s win throws Group B into chaos. With two wins, they top the group temporarily. Sri Lanka, fresh off a big win over Ireland, will fancy their chances, but Australia now have work to do. Their NRR has taken a hit, and questions will be asked about team selection and strategy.

For Zimbabwe, this is validation. Muzarabani spoke post-match about believing they could compete with anyone. “We back our skills,” he said. Bennett’s calm knock under pressure shows the depth emerging in their batting.

From an Indian fan’s perspective—watching on TV back home—this was pure joy. Associate nations rising, big teams humbled; that’s the beauty of World Cups on home soil (even if this one was in Colombo).

Final Thoughts

As the Zimbabwe players celebrated with laps of honour, R Premadasa erupted—not packed like an India game, but passionate. This wasn’t just 23 runs; it was a bridge across the gap between full members and associates. Cricket needed this upset, and Zimbabwe delivered it in style.

Who knows—maybe this sparks a run to the Super 8s. For now, savour the moment. T20 cricket at its unpredictable, exhilarating best.

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