Colombo : Zimbabwe scripted the biggest upset of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 so far, as they defeated Australia by 23 runs in Colombo on Friday. The African team revived memories of the upset win in 2007, when they beat Australia by five wickets in the T20 World Cup.
Unbeaten in the tournament, they are second in Group B standings while Australia have slipped to three. Only top two players from each group will progress to the Super 8 stage.
Australia won the toss and elected to field, but little went their way after that. In an assured batting performance, posted 169/2 in 20 overs, their highest score against Australia in T20Is. Zimbabwe’s previous best against Australia was 151/9 in Harare in July 2018.
They carried on the momentum in the field, reducing Australia to 29/4 inside the first five overs.
Glenn Maxwell (31) and Matt Renshaw (65) helped Australia steady the ship. While Maxwell’s repeated attempts at breaking free reaped little reward, Renshaw steadily helped Australia pick up the pace during a mature innings of 64 off 44.
The 77-run stand for the fifth wicket came to an end after Maxwell dragged on a fullish delivery by Ryan Burl onto the stumps. His wicket led to the lower-order collapse, as Australia slipped from 106/5 to 146 all out.
Zimbabwe were rewarded for their disciplined bowling. Zimbabwe pacers Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans razed the Aussie top order, then returned to deliver the knockout blow. Muzarabani finished with 4/17, the best bowling figures by a Zimbabwe player at a men’s T20 World Cup and the best figures for Zimbabwe against a full member team. His pace partner Evans claimed 3/23 in 3.3 overs.
Their commitment in the field was epitomised by Tony Munyonga diving catch to send back Ben Dwarshuis.
Zimbabwe top order was in great nick and gave the team just the positive start they needed, motoring to 47/0 in powerplay. While Tadiwanashe Marumani (35) and Brian Bennett led the charge with a 61-run opening partnership, Bennett combined with Ryan Burl (35) to score 70 runs for the second wicket.
Playing more of an anchor role, Bennett scored an unbeaten 64 off 56 balls. Captain Sikandar Raza chipped in with a crucial 25 off 13 balls, and hit the only six of the match, which came off the final ball of the innings.
With the Zimbabwe batters taking on the challenge, Australia tried out seven bowlers in the first 10 overs. Marcus Stoinis provided Australia with the breakthrough, getting a nick off Marumani that was caught behind. Cameron Green was the only other bowler amongs wickets, while the rest were put to the sword by Zimbabwe batters.
The defeat is another setback for an Australian team that has been left reeling with injuries and fitness issues before and during the World Cup.
