Zimbabwe Innings
Batting first, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 169/2 in 20 overs, building the innings steadily and accelerating in the final phase.
Brian Bennett anchored the innings brilliantly with an unbeaten 64 off 56 balls, holding one end firmly while rotating the strike.
Tadiwanashe Marumani provided early momentum with a quick 35 off 21 balls, setting a positive tone in the powerplay.
Ryan Burl added a valuable 35 off 30 balls, and captain Sikandar Raza finished strongly with 25 off 13 balls*, helping Zimbabwe reach a challenging total.
Australia Chase
Chasing 170, Australia struggled early after losing multiple wickets inside the powerplay, which derailed their run chase.
Matt Renshaw fought hard with a resilient 65 off 44 balls, while Glenn Maxwell contributed 31, but the lack of partnerships at the top made the chase difficult.
Zimbabwe’s bowling attack dominated the contest:
- Brad Evans delivered a match-winning spell, picking up 3 wickets,
- Blessing Muzarabani claimed 4 wickets,
- Wellington Masakadza and Ryan Burl provided crucial support with timely breakthroughs.
Australia eventually finished at 146/10, falling well short of the target.
Key Turning Points
- Zimbabwe’s top-order stability ensured a strong total without losing wickets regularly.
- Australia’s early collapse in the powerplay put them under immediate pressure.
- Brad Evans’ middle-overs breakthroughs halted Australia’s recovery attempt.
Match Summary
A composed batting effort followed by disciplined bowling helped Zimbabwe register a memorable victory over Australia. The win significantly strengthens Zimbabwe’s position in Group B and boosts their confidence in the tournament going forward.