Australia Vs Zimbabwe, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Muzarabani, Bennett Shine As The Chevrons Secure Memorable Victory

Zimbabwe produced the first upset of the T20 World Cup, with a 23-run shock win over an injury-plagued Australia in their Group B clash at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday. Sent into bat, Zimbabwe scored a challenging 169/2. Openers Brian Bennett (64 not out off 56 balls) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (35 off 21) gave a strong start. Ryan Burl (35 off 30 balls) also made useful contribution. In reply, Australia's top-order failed to fire before Matt Renshaw (65 off 44) and Glenn Maxwell (31 off 32) scored the bulk of the runs but fell short as they folded for 146 in 19.3 overs. For Zimbabwe, right-arm fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani (4/15) registered career-best figures and was ably-supported by Brad Evans (3/23).

Updated on: 13 February 2026 2:59 pm

Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Blessing Muzarabani

Zimbabwe's Blessing Muzarabani celebrates the wicket of Australia's Tim David during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Zimbabwes players

Zimbabwe's players stand up for the national anthems before the start of the during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Australias players

Australia's players stand up for the national anthems before the start of the during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Tadiwanashe Marumani

Zimbabwe's Tadiwanashe Marumani plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Brian Bennett

Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Zimbabwe's Tadiwanashe Marumani plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Marcus Stoinis

Australia's Marcus Stoinis, center left, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Zimbabwe's Tadiwanashe Marumani during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Ryan Burl

Zimbabwe's Ryan Burl plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Adam Zampa

Australia's Adam Zampa reacts during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Cameron Green

Australia's Cameron Green appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Zimbabwe's Ryan Burl during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Travis Head

Australia's captain Travis Head, right, throws a ball during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Zimbabwe's Ryan Burl plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Nathan Ellis

Australia's Nathan Ellis, left, jumps to catch a ball as Zimbabwe's Ryan Burl, right, watch during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett celebrates his fifty runs during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia's Marcus Stoinis reacts in pain after a ball hits on his hands during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Sikandar Raza

Zimbabwe's captain Sikandar Raza plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia's captain Travis Head plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Zimbabwe's Blessing Muzarabani, center, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Australia's Josh Inglis, second left, during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Bradley Evans

Zimbabwe's Bradley Evans, right, celebrates the wicket of Australia's captain Travis Head, left, during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Glenn Maxwell

Australia's Glenn Maxwell, left, and Matthew Renshaw greets each other during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Tony Munyonga

Zimbabwe's Tony Munyonga jumps to catch a ball during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia's Glenn Maxwell plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia vs Zimbabwe T20 cricket world cup match-Matthew Renshaw

Australia's Matthew Renshaw plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka.na | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawarde

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Australia's Glenn Maxwell bowled out by Zimbabwe's Ryan Burl during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Australia's Matthew Renshaw celebrates his fifty runs during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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Zimbabwe's Ryan Burl celebrates the wicket of Australia's Glenn Maxwell during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

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