Zimbabwe Beats Australia in Cricket World Cup

Zimbabwe has won a big cricket match against Australia in the T20 World Cup. This was not expected. Zimbabwe scored 169 runs, and Australia could only score 146 runs. This win is important for Zimbabwe's chances in the tournament.
By Newsroom | Cricket, World Cup |

A significant upset unfolded in the T20 World Cup as Zimbabwe secured a commanding 23-run victory against a favored Australian team in Colombo. This outcome marks a notable moment in the tournament, with Zimbabwe, ranked eleventh in the ICC rankings, overcoming a team that did not even participate in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup. The result has placed Australia under considerable pressure to advance to the Super 8 stage.

Zimbabwe shock Australia in huge upset at T20 World Cup - 1

Match Overview and Key Events

The match, held on February 13, 2026, saw Australia win the toss and elect to field. Zimbabwe set a challenging target of 169 runs for the loss of two wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The Australian batting lineup faltered under the pressure, being bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs, falling short by 23 runs.

Zimbabwe shock Australia in huge upset at T20 World Cup - 2

  • Zimbabwe's Innings:

  • Zimbabwe's opening pair, Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani, provided a solid foundation, with Bennett scoring an unbeaten 64 off 56 balls and Marumani contributing 35 off 21 balls.

  • Later in the innings, Ryan Burl added 35 off 30 balls, and captain Sikandar Raza chipped in with a quick 25 off 13 balls, including a late six.

  • The team finished strongly, scoring 38 runs in the last four overs.

  • Australia's Bowling Performance:

  • Australia's bowlers struggled to contain Zimbabwe, with Cameron Green taking 1 wicket for 6 runs.

  • Australia's Innings:

  • Australia's chase began poorly, with the team collapsing to 29 for 4 within the first five overs.

  • Matthew Renshaw emerged as the sole significant contributor for Australia, scoring 65 off 44 balls.

  • Glenn Maxwell scored 31 runs, but his dismissal, along with that of Marcus Stoinis, proved detrimental.

  • Zimbabwe's Bowling Performance:

  • Blessing Muzarabani was the standout bowler for Zimbabwe, taking 4 wickets for 17 runs.

  • Brad Evans supported with 3 wickets for 23 runs.

  • The collective bowling effort restricted Australia, with the final wicket falling when Matthew Kuhnemann was run out.

Team Changes and Pre-Match Context

Both teams made changes to their lineups. Australia brought in Tim David and Ben Dwarshuis, while Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett were excluded. Zimbabwe also made adjustments due to injuries. Notably, Australia was reportedly without their captain, Mitch Marsh, who suffered an injury. This match was part of Group B, where both teams had started with wins.

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Zimbabwe shock Australia in huge upset at T20 World Cup - 3

Player Performances

PlayerTeamScore/WicketsBalls Faced/Runs Conceded
Brian BennettZimbabwe64*56
Tadiwanashe MarumaniZimbabwe3521
Ryan BurlZimbabwe3530
Sikandar RazaZimbabwe25*13
Matthew RenshawAustralia6544
Glenn MaxwellAustralia31-
Blessing MuzarabaniZimbabwe4 wickets17 runs conceded
Brad EvansZimbabwe3 wickets23 runs conceded
Cameron GreenAustralia1 wicket6 runs conceded

  • Indicates not out.

Analysis of Key Moments

Zimbabwe's early pressure with the ball, particularly from Blessing Muzarabani, seemed to set the tone for the match. The rapid loss of key Australian wickets in the initial overs appears to have significantly impacted the chase. For Zimbabwe, the strong opening partnership and the late-innings acceleration by Raza were critical in setting a defendable total. Despite Matthew Renshaw's valiant effort to anchor Australia's innings, the lack of substantial support led to the team's downfall.

Zimbabwe shock Australia in huge upset at T20 World Cup - 4

Was the decision to bat first after winning the toss the correct one for Australia, or did it play into Zimbabwe's hands by allowing them to set a target?

Impact on Tournament Standings

This victory places Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka as the early leaders in Group B, both maintaining undefeated records after two matches. The defeat leaves Australia in a precarious position, requiring strong performances in their remaining matches against Oman and Sri Lanka to avoid early elimination from the tournament.

Expert Commentary

"Australia's shock defeat means they must defeat host nation Sri Lanka in the early hours of Tuesday morning (AEDT) if they are to have any hope of avoiding being embarrassingly eliminated in the first phase of the tournament." – The Sydney Morning Herald

"This was already a tortured campaign for Australia, who are missing Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood then lost skipper Mitch Marsh to a freak testicular injury." – The Sydney Morning Herald

Conclusion and Future Implications

Zimbabwe's victory represents a historic achievement and a significant upset in the T20 World Cup. The team's disciplined bowling and effective batting have put them in a strong position in Group B. For Australia, this loss is a severe blow, highlighting the need for an immediate tactical and performance reassessment. The team faces an uphill battle to salvage their World Cup campaign and qualify for the Super 8s.

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  • Australia must now secure victories in their upcoming fixtures.

  • The team's selection and strategy will likely come under scrutiny.

  • Zimbabwe's performance suggests they are a team to be reckoned with in the tournament.

Sources

Read More: Zimbabwe Beats Australia in T20 World Cup Match

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the cricket match between Zimbabwe and Australia?
Zimbabwe won the match. They beat Australia by 23 runs.
Q: What was the score?
Zimbabwe scored 169 runs. Australia scored 146 runs.
Q: Was this a big surprise?
Yes, it was a big surprise because Australia is a strong team and Zimbabwe is ranked lower.
Q: What does this mean for Australia?
Australia now has less chance to move to the next part of the tournament. They need to win their next games.