Colombo, February 13 Zimbabwe achieved a stunning victory against Australia in the T20 World Cup, defeating the former champions by 23 runs. This was a major upset.
This was only the second time that the African nation had defeated a traditional powerhouse in the format, having previously beaten them in the 2007 edition of the tournament.
Zimbabwe posted a challenging score of 169 for 2 after being put in to bat by Australia, who were missing some of their key bowlers. Opener Brian Bennett's unbeaten 64 and contributions from other top-order batsmen were crucial.
The lower-ranked team then bowled Australia out for 146 in 19.3 overs, securing a famous win.
In the 2007 edition, Zimbabwe had defeated Australia by five wickets in a low-scoring match in Cape Town.
Pacer Blessing Muzarabani took 4 wickets for 17, while Brad Evans (3/23), Wellington Masakadza (1/36), and Ryan Burl (1/9) also contributed with the ball for Zimbabwe.
Australia struggled to chase 170, suffering a top-order collapse and being reduced to 29 for 4 in 4.3 overs. Josh Inglis (8), Travis Head (17), Cameron Green (0), and Tim David (0) were all dismissed cheaply.
Matt Renshaw played a lone hand for Australia, scoring 65 off 44 balls, while Glenn Maxwell made 31.
From 38 for 4 at the end of the powerplay, Australia reached 67 for 4 at the halfway mark, needing 103 runs to win.
Maxwell and Renshaw then stitched a 77-run partnership off 9.5 overs, bringing Australia back into the game.
However, Ryan Burl broke the partnership as Maxwell edged one onto the stumps.
Australia needed 56 runs from the final five overs, but Marcus Stoinis, who had been hit earlier in the innings, was out for 6.
Bennett took a stunning catch near the boundary to dismiss Ben Dwarshuis (7) for Brad Evan's third wicket of the day.
The target was reduced to 34 from 12 balls, but Australia lost Renshaw and Adam Zampa (2) in the 19th over, and Matthew Kuhnemann (0) was run out in the final over.
Earlier, Zimbabwe's top-order batters fired collectively against a depleted Australian bowling attack, posting a challenging score of 169 for 2.
Bennett struck seven fours in 56 balls, laying the perfect foundation for Zimbabwe's big total, reaching 125 for one by the end of the 15th over. However, Australia recovered in the death overs, conceding only 44 runs in the final five overs.
Wicket-keeper Tadiwanashe Marumani and Ryan Burl chipped in with 35 each, while captain Sikandar Raza remained not out on 25 off 13 balls.
With wickets in hand, Zimbabwe could have pushed for an even bigger score. There was only one six in the innings.
In the absence of players like Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, the Australian pace attack initially lacked sting, and the Zimbabwe bowlers capitalized on that, but eventually faltered.
Adam Zampa was handled well by the Zimbabwean batters, as he remained wicketless, returning figures of 0/31 in his four overs.
The highlight of the Zimbabwe innings was the 61-run stand for the opening wicket between Marumani and Bennett off 7.3 overs.
Marumani hit two fours off Ben Dwarshuis in the third over and three boundaries off Glenn Maxwell in the fourth over after a slow start.
Bennett joined the attack with two boundaries in the fifth over bowled by Matthew Kuhnemann, taking Zimbabwe to a decent 47 for no loss at the end of the powerplay.
Zimbabwe were 61 for one, and reached 79 for 1 at the halfway stage. They added 46 runs in the next five overs, reaching 125 for one at the 15th over mark.
Pacer Marcus Stoinis left the field in the 16th over, holding his hand in pain while trying to return a catch from Burl.
From a full toss, Burl hit straight back at Stoinis, who tried to get hold of the ball. Stoinis grimaced in pain and immediately called for the physio, before leaving the field.
Cameron Green completed the unfinished 16th over, which turned out to be lucky, as Burl got out in the last ball.
