Brian Bennett and Blessing Muzarabani script historic T20 World Cup upset
Zimbabwe stunned Australia by 23 runs in Colombo on Friday, a result that upended Group B dynamics because brian bennett's unbeaten 64 helped post 169/2 and put the second-ranked former champions on the back foot.
Sensational scenes at R. Premadasa Stadium after Zimbabwe's Group B win
The match at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo produced sensational scenes as a group of Zimbabwe fans, dressed in their team shirts, celebrated the victory with a traditional dance. Zimbabwe, ranked 11th, pulled off what has been described as the biggest shock of the T20 World Cup so far when they beat a depleted Australia by 23 runs in the Group B clash.
Brian Bennett's unbeaten 64 anchors 169/2
Brian Bennett finished unbeaten on 64 off 56 balls as Zimbabwe posted 169/2 in their 20 overs. The 22-year-old's innings was described as an exercise in controlled aggression: he rarely went the aerial route and found the boundary seven times. It was the 22-year-old's 10th half-century in T20 internationals.
brian bennett and Ryan Burl combined in the middle order, putting on 70 for the second wicket — a record stand for Zimbabwe in T20 World Cups — after an opening partnership of 61 with Tadiwanashe Marumani.
Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans rip through Australia's top order
Opening bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans ripped through Australia's top order, with Muzarabani the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 4/17. Australia were left reeling at 29/4 early in their chase before later attempts at recovery.
Maxwell and Renshaw briefly threaten before late collapse to 146 in 19. 3 overs
Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw put on 77 for the fifth wicket to give Australia hope, but the momentum swung again when part-time leg-spinner Ryan Burl induced Glenn Maxwell to drag one onto his stumps for 31. Australia tumbled from 106/4 to 146 all out, dismissed in 19. 3 overs.
Injuries, absences and selection headaches leave Australia vulnerable
Australia went into the match without captain Mitchell Marsh for the second match, and with pace spearheads Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood previously ruled out, leaving the former champions short-handed. Marcus Stoinis was struck on his left palm while attempting a return catch halfway through his third over; he was accompanied off the field in pain, later returned to bat but managed only six.
Tim David was named in the side after missing the Ireland win on Wednesday, but he made a two-ball duck in his first game back since suffering a hamstring injury in the Big Bash League. Zimbabwe had thrashed Oman in their opener, while Australia had beaten Ireland on Wednesday; with matches to come against co-hosts Sri Lanka and Oman, another defeat could see Australia on the plane home after the group stage.
