Zimbabwe vs Australia: Blessing Muzarabani, Brian Bennett script historic T20 World Cup upset
In a seismic Group B result in Colombo, brian bennett's unbeaten 64 and a devastating opening burst from Blessing Muzarabani helped Zimbabwe beat a depleted Australia by 23 runs at R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday, registering the biggest shock of the T20 World Cup so far.
Brian Bennett's unbeaten 64 seals the upset
Opening batsman Brian Bennett finished 64 not out off 56 balls as Zimbabwe posted 169/2 in their 20 overs. Bennett rarely went aerial, found the boundary seven times and completed his 10th half-century in T20 internationals. The 22-year-old anchored innings momentum after an opening stand of 61 with Tadiwanashe Marumani, and then added a record 70-run partnership for the second wicket with Ryan Burl — a Zimbabwe best for T20 World Cups.
Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans dismantle Australia's top order
Zimbabwe's opening bowlers, led by Blessing Muzarabani and supported by Brad Evans, ripped through Australia's top order to leave the visitors reeling at 29/4. Muzarabani was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 4/17 as Australia were eventually dismissed for 146 in 19. 3 overs.
Australia's fightback falls short amid key absences and injuries
Australia briefly rekindled hope when Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw put on 77 for the fifth wicket, moving the score from 29/4 to a more competitive position. Maxwell was trapped when Ryan Burl induced him to drag one onto his stumps for 31, and the innings collapsed from 106/4 to 146 all out. The visitors were missing several frontline players: their captain Mitchell Marsh was unavailable for the second match, and pace spearheads Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood had been ruled out earlier, leaving the campaign vulnerable in the 20-nation tournament.
Injury blows and underwhelming returns for Australia
Marcus Stoinis was struck on his left palm attempting a return catch halfway through his third over and was accompanied off the field in visible pain; he later returned to bat but managed only six runs. Tim David, named in the side after missing a previous win, made a two-ball duck in his first game back following a hamstring injury sustained in the Big Bash League. With upcoming matches against co-hosts Sri Lanka and Oman, another defeat could see Australia heading home after the group stage.
Match milestones, fan celebrations and wider context
Zimbabwe, ranked 11th, produced a controlled batting display and clinical bowling to topple the second-ranked Australians in a Group B clash. There were sensational scenes at the R. Premadasa Stadium as a group of Zimbabwe fans, dressed in team shirts, celebrated with a traditional dance. The win follows Zimbabwe's earlier thrashing of Oman in their tournament opener, while Australia had beaten Ireland on Wednesday.
Historical aside from the Cape press tradition
From its earliest days in 1857, under the influence of its co-founder Saul Solomon, a Cape newspaper advocated for multi-racial democracy, women's rights, and local self-governance. That commitment to progressive ideals continued throughout the apartheid era, when the paper served as a prominent voice of opposition against the National Party.
What happens next in Group B
- Zimbabwe will build on the momentum from their opener and this upset as the group stage progresses.
- Australia faces pressure to recover in matches against Sri Lanka and Oman to avoid an early exit.
- Player fitness and availability, particularly for Australia, will be decisive given the tournament's compressed schedule.
Recent results have reshuffled Group B dynamics: a disciplined Zimbabwe performance with key individual milestones and a collective bowling effort has delivered one of the tournament's standout upsets.
