Despite missing their vice-captain and playing with a captain hampered by injury, Zimbabwe produced a stunning team performance to defeat Australia by 23 runs in the T20 World Cup. The victory has shaken up the tournament and placed Australia’s progression in serious doubt.
Zimbabwe overcame significant adversity to achieve this famous victory. Vice-captain Brendan Taylor was absent with a hamstring injury, while captain Sikandar Raza battled through calf cramps throughout the fielding innings. These setbacks would have demoralized lesser teams, but Zimbabwe showed remarkable resilience and determination. Young opener Brian Bennett, just 22 years old, led from the front with an unbeaten 64 that anchored the innings.
Australia’s chase of 170 runs began catastrophically with Josh Inglis holing out for 8 off the first ball bowled by Blessing Muzarabani. The fast bowler then produced two unplayable deliveries to dismiss Cameron Green and Tim David for consecutive golden ducks, both caught behind. The triple strike reduced Australia to 25 for 3 and set the tone for what became a comprehensive defeat.
Travis Head’s dismissal for 17 made it four wickets down in the powerplay, leaving Australia at 29 for 4. This represented only the second time in their T20 World Cup history that they had lost four wickets so early, highlighting the magnitude of the collapse. Matthew Renshaw (65 off 44) and Glenn Maxwell (31 off 32) fought valiantly with a 77-run partnership, but when both chopped onto their stumps, the game swung decisively Zimbabwe’s way.
The fielding effort from Zimbabwe was exceptional, with Tony Munyonga producing a highlight-reel diving catch to dismiss Ben Dwarshuis. Muzarabani finished with career-best figures of 4 for 17, earning player of the match honors. Australia’s bowlers had earlier struggled to contain Zimbabwe, with Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa both going wicketless despite being key performers in the previous match against Ireland.