T20 World Cup 2026: Australia vs Zimbabwe, Match 19 – Full highlights, top moments & winner details

Feb 13, 2026 - 10:45

Zimbabwe scripted one of the biggest upsets in T20I history with a heroic 23-run win over Australia at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Asked to bat first, Zimbabwe posted 169 for 2 on a surface that gradually slowed down. After a slow start, Tadiwanashe Marumani began well with 35 off 21 balls. The backbone of the innings, however, was Brian Bennett’s 64 not out off 56 deliveries. He anchored the innings solidly, ensuring Zimbabwe never lost momentum. Ryan Burl’s 35 and a push from skipper Sikandar Raza, who hit 25 not out off 13.

Australia’s chase never got going. Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans ripped through the top order in the power play, reducing them to 29 for 4. Josh Inglis, Cameron Green and Tim David fell well, while Travis Head chopped on under pressure. Though Matt Renshaw fought hard with a 65 off 44 and added 77 runs with Glenn Maxwell.

Muzarabani returned to finish with a career-best 4 for 17, sealing a famous victory. Zimbabwe were clinical in every department, outplaying Australia in crucial moments and throwing Group B wide open.

Top Batting performance of the match - Brian Bennett

Zimbabwe's opener Brian Bennett delivered a brilliant knock to help the team post 169/2 from their allotted 20 overs. His unbeaten 64 off 56 balls was laced by seven boundaries. Throughout the innings, he made sure to hold on to one end and constantly kept the scoreboard ticking. During his knock, he stitched crucial partnerships with Tadiwanashe Marumani, Ryan Burl, and skipper Sikandar Raza.

Top Bowling performance of the match - Blessing Muzarabani

Tall right-arm pacer Blessing Muzarabani was the best bowler in the clash. The speedster finished with figures of 4 for 17 from his quota of four overs, consistently putting pressure on the opposition batters. He led the attack brilliantly and dismantled the opposition batting-order. His victims included Josh Inglis, Tim David, Matt Renshaw, and Adam Zampa.

Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved

Ryan Burl and Brian Bennett’s 70-run stand is Zimbabwe’s highest 2nd-wicket partnership in Men’s T20 World Cups, surpassing the 62-run effort by Masakadza and Taylor.
Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw’s 77-run partnership is Australia’s highest 5th-wicket stand in Men’s T20 World Cups, overtaking the previous record of 74 by Shane Watson and Steven Smith.
The 315-run combined tally is the highest match aggregate involving Australia and Zimbabwe in Men’s T20 World Cup history.
Ryan Burl now holds the record for most catches by a Zimbabwe fielder in T20Is (54), going past Sikandar Raza’s 53.
Australia’s 29/4 is their second-lowest score at the fall of the fourth wicket in a World Cup match, only behind 21/4 vs England in Dubai in 2021.
Blessing Muzarabani has taken 26 wickets in the Powerplay (Overs 1-6) in T20Is since the 2024 World Cup the second-most by any bowler in this WC cycle.
Australia have lost four or more wickets in the Powerplay in a T20 World Cup match only twice: vs Sri Lanka in Bridgetown (2010) and vs Zimbabwe in Colombo RPS (2026).
Zimbabwe’s 169/2 is the lowest first-innings total in a 20-over T20 World Cup game after losing two or fewer wickets.
Travis Head has scored at a strike rate of 175.27 in T20Is since the 2024 World Cup.
Brian Bennett is the leading run-scorer of the ongoing World Cup cycle with 1481 runs at an average of 36.12 and a strike rate of 145.2, including ten 50-plus scores.
Among venues hosting at least two matches this tournament, Colombo RPS has produced the second-least average turn, marginally ahead of Eden Gardens.
This marks the first instance of Zimbabwe registering two 50-plus partnerships in a single T20 World Cup match.
It is only Zimbabwe’s second 50-plus opening stand in T20 World Cups, following the 74-run partnership between Vusi Sibanda and Brendon Taylor vs England in Cape Town in 2007.

Who was the Player of the Match?

Star pacer Blessing Muzarabani was named the Player of the Match Award for his brilliant performance with the ball against the Aussies. His bowling kept the opposition on the backfoot throughout the innings, and they never were got the opportunity to score runs freely.

What is the next match?

Zimbabwe will play Ireland in their fixture, which is scheduled for February 17 in Pallekele. Meanwhile, Australia will face co-hosts Sri Lanka on February 16 in Pallekele.