Zimbabwe as they lost, they pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament Australia 19. With 23 runs in the match, there is a clash in Group B ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium. After posting a competitive score of 169/2 in 20 overs, the African side produced some disciplined bowling to bowl out Australia for 146 in 19.3 overs.
Australia, who won the toss and qualified for the trophy, expected to keep Zimbabwe to a manageable final. What followed, however, was a composed and calculated batting display that set the tone for a night to remember.
Brian Bennett leads Zimbabwe to a competitive result
Zimbabwe’s batting was built around steady batting Brian BennettTop scored with 64 off 56 deliveries. Bennett hit seven clear boundaries and played his shots smartly, ensuring Zimbabwe did not lose their early momentum. At the other end, We found Marumani provided the early spark with 35 off just 21 balls laced with seven fours.
The pair added valuable runs to the powerplay, forcing Australia’s bowlers to rethink their lengths. Although Marumani departed after a lively cameo, Bennett continued to anchor the innings.
In the second half, Ryan Burl fluently chipped with 30 balls off 35, regularly finding gaps. Sikandar Raza then secured the rise to the finish, smashing just 13 deliveries for 25, including a six, to take Zimbabwe to an impressive 169/2.
Australia’s bowling lacked authority. Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green every goalie took it, but the forwards like it Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellisand Adam Zampa they could not make significant progress.
Blessing Muzarabani leads a ruthless bowling display
Chasing 170, Australia’s innings never found a rhythm. Josh Inglis started with a six but fell for 8 early. Head of Travis management 17, Green and while Tim David He left without troubling the scorers, putting Australia under early pressure.
Glenn Maxwell He tried to rebuild with 31 off 32 balls, but his strike rate reflected Zimbabwe’s tight bowling. The only real resistance came from him Matt RenshawPlaying a fighting knock of 65 off 44 balls, hitting five fours and a six to keep Australia’s hopes alive.
However, every time Australia looked to build a partnership, Zimbabwe responded. Blessed Muzarabani He delivered a memorable spell claiming 4 wickets for just 17 runs in four overs. His pace, bounce and accuracy were too much for Australia’s middle and lower order.
Brad Evans It provided strong support with 3 for 23 Wellington Masakadza and Burl entered the game with every goaltender. A disciplined effort saw Australia bowl out for 146 in 19.3 overs and seal a famous 23-run win for Zimbabwe.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
This is clinical from Zim.
The batting and bowling were excellent, but Tony Munyonga’s pitches piled on the pressure.
He saved at least 12-15 runs and sealed the deal with a superb catch at deep mid-wicket.🔥🔥When the ground sizes are right, cricketing skills really…
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 13, 2026
Zimbabwe played very well 👏👏😁 #AUSvWINTER #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ngkVZNxuYY
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 13, 2026
ZIMBABWE 🇿🇼
— Dale Stein (@DaleSteyn62) February 13, 2026
Zimbabwe rise to the occasion with a brilliant all-round display to upset Australia 🙌
#T20WorldCup 📝: https://t.co/DGcVByz7gH pic.twitter.com/d3NylR8B7b— ICC (@ICC) February 13, 2026
2007 T20 World Cup – Zimbabwe beat Australia.
2026 T20 World Cup – Zimbabwe thrash Australia.
19 YEARS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TWO MATCHES, BUT DOMINATION REMAINS. 🥶🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/H0BCO4zx5G
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 13, 2026
BREAKING: Australia has officially been renamed “Zimb-breakfast” 🍳😂
Because Zimbabwe ate them alive on the field 🏏🔥#ZIMvsAUS #T20WorldCup #ZimbabweCricket #CricketShock #UnderdogStory pic.twitter.com/OJC0KxgGK5— MrLybs🇼🇿🇿🇦🇶🇦🇻🇳🇲🇾 (@MrLybs) February 13, 2026
Zimbabwe beat Australia by 23 runs 🎉
Eligibility details 👉 https://t.co/v7MN1B6xMe#T20WorldCup #ZIMvAUS pic.twitter.com/tlRIJPyg2j
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 13, 2026
Australians were cooked by Zimbabwe 🔥 , unreal fall man 😭
Muzarbani 💥#ZIMvAUS #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/zkt027hWbu
— 𝗥𝗔JA KRISHNAPPA BAIRY𝗔 (@RKBTweetss) February 13, 2026
Zimbabwe are still unbeaten against Australia #T20WorldCup games, after producing a stunner at the R. Premadasa Stadium 😱 pic.twitter.com/Fx7rZEhy6v
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 13, 2026
🚨 HISTORY OF ZIMBABWE IN COLOMBO 🚨
– Zimbabwe 🇼🇿 2021 T20 World Cup winners make history by defeating Australia 👏🏻
– Australia are Humbled and Zimbabwe are on the verge of qualifying for the Super 8 of this World Cup🔥#AUSvWINTER pic.twitter.com/G4rPHOdFMk
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) February 13, 2026
They beat the mighty Aussies in the 2007 T20 WC, and beat them again in 2026 💥#AUSvWINTER #ZimbabweCricket #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/xH3l7DrYDE
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 13, 2026
U̶P̶S̶E̶T̶!̶ CONGRATULATIONS! 🙌
2007 🤝 2026Zimbabwe remain unbeaten against Australia in T20 World Cups. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wErywopfVe
– Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2026
ELASATION IN COLOMBO!!!
ZIMBABWE BEAT AUSTRALIA BY 23 RUNS! 😭🇿🇼🫶🏼
What a day! What a team! 🇿🇼🇼🇿 pic.twitter.com/Ag1kia7ZlS
— Adam Theo🇿🇼🏏 (@AdamTheofilatos) February 13, 2026
Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 beat Australia by 23 runs in RPSC 🔥❤
Really great team work 👌🏼
Special mention to Brian Bennett gutsy knock😎, Muzarabani class 🔥, Burl Determination 🙂 and Brad Evans show 👏🏻.
How emotional it is to live 😭🇿🇼 @ZimCricketv #ZIMvAUS #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/3E3iCmhOZL
— 𝕄𝕖𝕖𝕖𝕖 (@cricwit_mridul) February 13, 2026
A comment from Zimbabwe victory! 🇿🇼
Beating Australia by 23 runs takes real character. And of course Blessing was just that, a blessing in the truest sense, with a great 4 keeper spell.
What an exciting tournament this is!
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 13, 2026
1983 ODI World Cup: Zimbabwe beat Australia.
India continues to win the tournament.2007 World T20: Zimbabwe beat Australia.
India continues to win the tournament.2026 T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe defeat Australia.
🤞🙏❤️
— Gaurav 🇮🇳 (@IamGMishra) February 13, 2026
Zimbabwe defeated Australia in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
Zimbabwe defeated Australia in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
ZIMBABWE, DO A FRESH 🥶💥 pic.twitter.com/kbHxtCZ0if
– Jones. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 13, 2026
