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- Australia vs Zimbabwe Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Zimbabwe stun Australia by 23 runs in Colombo
Australia vs Zimbabwe Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Zimbabwe stun Australia by 23 runs in Colombo
T20 World Cup: Schedule | Points Table
Asked to bat first, Zimbabwe built their innings around a composed opening partnership between Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani. The duo added 61 runs in just 7.3 overs, setting the tone for a strong total.
Bennett anchored the innings with an unbeaten 64 from 56 deliveries, while Marumani’s aggressive 35 off 21 balls kept the pressure on the bowlers early. Ryan Burl contributed a valuable 35 in the middle overs before captain Sikandar Raza provided a late flourish with a 13-ball 25 not out, lifting Zimbabwe to 169 for two.
Cameroon Green and Marcus Stoinis managed one wicket apiece but found little assistance.
Australia’s chase never recovered from early setbacks despite resistance from Matt Renshaw, who top-scored with 65, and Glenn Maxwell, who added 31.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, with Blessing Muzarabani delivering a match-winning spell of 4/15, well supported by Brad Evans’ 3/23, as Australia were restricted to 146 in 19.3 overs.
Playing XIs:
Australia XI: Travis Head (c), Josh Inglis (w), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann
Zimbabwe XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (w), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani
Ben Dwarshuis to Brian Bennett, Action right away! Ben Dwarshuis scoots from over the wicket and bowls back of a length, just outside off, angling away. Brian Bennett opens the face of his bat and punches it toward the left of the point fielder but the fielder does well to dive and make a stop. Dear me - that is Matthew Kuhnemann. What on earth is he doing at point? Australia literally have lack of stocks it seems.
Right then. The national anthems are done and we are ready for the day and contest to begin. The Aussies get into a huddle and right beside them, the Zimbabwean openers stride out ahead. Now, the Aussies disperse. It will be Ben Dwarshuis to start things off. The two openers for the batting side are Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani. Bennett to face. Here we go!
The National Anthems - The match officials and the two teams walk out to the middle for the national anthems of the two teams. It will be Zimbabwe's first, followed by that of Australia's.
Taylor ruled out - Big blow to Zimbabwe, not only for this match, but for the rest of the competition, with Taylor ruled out. As far Australia are concerned, leaving Connolly out is a big call. His left-arm spin would have been more than a handful on this surface. Feel a touch unlucky for Bartlett as well, as he has a knack of picking up wickets.
Need to be a touch fuller - The captain of Zimbabwe, SIKANDAR RAZA, says that the wicket is pretty good at the start. But adds that with the sun coming out, it could break up and bring the spinners into play, which is perfect for his side. On the change in lengths from their previous venue at the SSC, Raza reckons that on this surface, ideally the bowlers need to be a touch fuller. Explains that if they bowl shorter than that, it could become a nice length for the batters. On Zimbabwe being unbeaten against Australia in T20 World Cups, Sikandar smiles and says that Zimbabwe don't get a lot of bilateral series against them, so they try and make the most of whatever opportunites they get. On the changes for his side. SR informs that they have got two changes, detailing that unfortunately Brendan Taylor is ruled out of the competition after hurting himself in the first game against Oman. Adds that the other change is Richard Ngarava, who is resting more as a precautionary measure. Further says that his second scan has come positive, which is good news. Sikandar Raza ends by saying that the two replacements are Tony Munyonga and Graeme Cremer.
We are relaxed - The skipper of Australia, TRAVIS HEAD, is not too worried about the injury concerns in the camp. Replies that the team's relaxed, saying they're used to a bit of chaos early in competitions like this. Head describes the team as calm and in a good space, having experienced similar situations before. On the challenge for this match, Travis says that he's confident, citing their strong performance the other day against Ireland, and says the challenge now is to back it up with another solid showing. He also says that it's about dealing with the conditions, and he thinks his team is doing that really well. Details that they aimed to keep pressure on the run rate, approaching the game differently than usual due to the conditions. He explains that it was about assessing the conditions, adapting, and then executing well.
Australia (Playing XI) - Travis Head (C), Josh Inglis (WK), Cameron Green, Tim David (IN FOR COOPER CONNOLLY), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Ben Dwarshuis (IN FOR XAVIER BARTLETT), Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa and Matthew Kuhnemann.
Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga (IN FOR BRENDAN TAYLOR), Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer (IN FOR RICHARD NGARAVA) and Blessing Muzarabani.
Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor.
Veterans like Brendan Taylor remain vital to their batting plans, although injury concerns may force tactical adjustments, potentially opening the door for Ryan Burl to step in as a spin-bowling all-round option.
Zimbabwe may also consider deploying the experienced leg-spin of Graeme Creamer to exploit Australia’s occasional vulnerability against quality spin. If their bowlers execute plans effectively, Zimbabwe possess the tools to turn this contest into one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
Heading into the Zimbabwe clash, the bowling unit will again play a decisive role, especially if the batting order undergoes further changes.
Maintaining pressure through the middle overs and executing precise death bowling could be key to neutralising Zimbabwe’s counter-attacking approach.
The Aussies understand that consistent bowling performances may be their strongest asset while they navigate injury concerns and experiment with combinations.
Smith’s red-hot form in franchise cricket, highlighted by a prolific Big Bash League campaign, provides Australia with a dependable option capable of anchoring the innings.
The Aussies posted an imposing 180-plus total without a single fifty against Ireland, but the team will hope for bigger contributions from aggressive opener Travis Head and middle-order enforcer Glenn Maxwell. Their ability to accelerate during the middle overs could become even more critical if Marsh remains unavailable.
Australia’s think tank may also explore flexible batting roles to maintain momentum through the innings while preserving the balance between power and control.
The medical update suggesting a lengthy recovery period has left the Australia national cricket team weighing their options carefully as they approach a must-win encounter against Zimbabwe national cricket team.
Despite the setback, Australia delivered an emphatic all-round performance in their last outing, showcasing squad depth and tactical flexibility.
However, Marsh’s absence creates a leadership and balance gap, especially with his dual role as a middle-order power-hitter and medium-pace option.
Team management will continue monitoring his recovery closely, knowing his availability could significantly shape Australia’s push toward the Super Eights.
Sent in to bat first, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 169 for two after openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani laid a solid foundation with a brisk 61-run stand inside eight overs. Bennett remained unbeaten on 64 off 56 balls, while Marumani’s 21-ball 35 provided early momentum.
Ryan Burl added a steady 35 and skipper Sikandar Raza finished strongly with an unbeaten 25 to push the total beyond par. Cameroon Green and Marcus Stoinis picked up a wicket each but struggled to contain the flow of runs.
In reply, Australia’s top order faltered under pressure. Matt Renshaw fought back with a 44-ball 65 and Glenn Maxwell chipped in with 31, yet the chase never truly gathered pace.
Zimbabwe’s attack was led superbly by Blessing Muzarabani, whose career-best 4/15 dismantled the middle order, while Brad Evans’ 3/23 ensured Australia were bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs.
Match Statistics
Venue
R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
