Zimbabwe defeated Australia by 23 runs in a historic upset at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The match took place at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 13, 2026. Zimbabwe posted 169/2 in 20 overs and restricted Australia to 146 all out in 19.3 overs.
This marks Zimbabwe’s second consecutive win in the tournament. The result puts Australia’s Super 8 qualification hopes in serious jeopardy.
Zimbabwe Posts Highest T20I Total Against Australia
Brian Bennett remained unbeaten on 64 runs off 56 balls. His innings anchored Zimbabwe’s batting on a slow, spin-friendly pitch. Zimbabwe’s top order contributed evenly to the total. The team scored 169/2, their highest score against Australia in T20 Internationals.
Australia captain Travis Head won the toss and chose to field first. The decision backfired as Zimbabwe built a solid foundation. The pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium favored bowlers throughout the match. Slow conditions made scoring difficult for both teams.
Australia Collapses Despite Renshaw’s Maiden Fifty
Australia lost 4 wickets in the first 5 overs. Josh Inglis scored just 8 runs before falling early. Cameron Green, Tim David, and Travis Head all departed cheaply.
Matt Renshaw fought back with 65 runs off 44 balls. This was his first T20I half-century in his fifth international appearance. Glenn Maxwell supported Renshaw with 31 runs off 32 balls. The pair added 77 runs for the fifth wicket to revive Australia’s chase.
Ryan Burl broke the partnership when Maxwell dragged the ball onto his stumps. Renshaw fell soon after, caught by Burl off Blessing Muzarabani’s bowling. The lower order collapsed quickly. Adam Zampa was bowled by Muzarabani for 2 runs. Matthew Kuhnemann was run out by Brad Evans to end the innings.
Muzarabani Destroys Australia With Career-Best Figures
Blessing Muzarabani took 4 wickets for just 17 runs in 4 overs. These are his career-best figures in T20I cricket. The fast bowler ripped through Australia’s top order. He dismissed Josh Inglis, Matt Renshaw, and other key batsmen.
Brad Evans supported excellently with 3 wickets for 23 runs. His powerplay bowling put immediate pressure on Australia. Evans also executed a direct-hit run-out to dismiss Kuhnemann. This sealed Zimbabwe’s memorable victory.
Muzarabani was named Player of the Match for his match-winning performance. “The team fired on all cylinders today,” Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said after the match.
Historic Upset Shakes Tournament
This is the first major upset of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe remains undefeated against Australia in T20 World Cup history. Zimbabwe previously beat Australia by 5 wickets in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup. Their record against Australia in the tournament now stands at 2-0.
This is Zimbabwe’s first T20 World Cup win over Australia since 2007. The victory comes 19 years after their first triumph. Cricket analysts described it as “one of the greatest upsets in cricket history.” Reports called the win “stunning” and “memorable.”
Group B Standings Turn Chaotic
Zimbabwe has won both its matches in Group B. They defeated Oman by 8 wickets on February 9 and now Australia by 23 runs. The team moved to second place in the Group B standings. Their net run rate received a significant boost from this victory.
Australia now has 1 win and 1 loss. They beat Ireland in their opening match, but this defeat seriously damages their campaign. “Australia’s campaign is on thin ice,” reports stated. Their Super 8 qualification hopes now depend on other results.
Group B includes Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman, and Sri Lanka. The standings have become highly competitive after this result.
Australia Faces Injury and Form Concerns
Australia fielded a depleted side in this match. Mitchell Marsh missed the game due to injury concerns. The team’s batting showed serious vulnerabilities on the slow pitch. Collapses occurred both before and after the Renshaw-Maxwell partnership.
Only two batsmen reached double figures with any authority. The rest of the batting lineup failed to adapt to conditions. Australia’s bowlers also struggled to contain Zimbabwe’s batsmen. The pitch conditions favored spin and slower deliveries.
What This Means for Both Teams
Zimbabwe’s confidence has grown significantly with two consecutive wins. The team is performing at its best level in recent T20 World Cup history.
Their disciplined bowling and sharp fielding proved crucial. The direct-hit run-out and tight bowling in the power play set the tone. Australia must regroup quickly for its remaining group matches. Every game is now a must-win situation for the former champions.
The result sends shockwaves through the tournament. Traditional powerhouses can no longer take any opponent lightly. Zimbabwe’s next match will test whether they can maintain this momentum. Australia faces a crucial encounter where defeat could end their tournament hopes.
Also Read: Ben Curran Replaces Injured Brendan Taylor in Zimbabwe’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
