In a surprising turn of events at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe delivered a memorable performance by defeating Australia by 23 runs in Group B action at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The win not only shook up the tournament standings but also reminded everyone that in T20 cricket, the underdog can always bite back.
Zimbabwe posted a competitive total of 169 for 2 in their 20 overs, anchored by Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 64. Contributions from Tadiwanashe Marumani (35) and Ryan Burl (35) helped set up a challenging target for Australia. Despite being a heavy favorite, Australia struggled to keep up, losing early wickets and failing to build momentum.
The highlight of the match was Zimbabwe’s bowling. Blessing Muzarabani’s brilliant spell of 4 for 17 dismantled the Australian top order, while Brad Evans’ 3 for 23 ensured Australia could never get comfortable. Although Matt Renshaw fought valiantly with 65 runs, the chase fell short as Australia were bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs, giving Zimbabwe a historic win by 23 runs.
This victory marked only Zimbabwe’s second T20 World Cup win over Australia, the first being back in 2007. For Zimbabwe, it was a morale-boosting performance that showcased skill, patience, and aggressive cricket when it mattered most. For Australia, it served as a reminder that overconfidence can be costly, even for a cricketing giant.
In the end, Zimbabwe’s combination of smart batting and disciplined bowling stole the day, leaving the fans in Colombo and around the world celebrating one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.