Defending a competitive total of 169, Zimbabwe produced a disciplined all-round performance, spearheaded by a career-best spell from Blessing Muzarabani, to dismantle the Australian batting line-up. The victory marked Zimbabwe’s first World Cup win over Australia since their memorable clash in 2007.
Earlier, young opener Brian Bennett laid the platform for the upset with a composed, unbeaten 64 off 56 deliveries. Batting on a surface that offered assistance to the bowlers, Bennett anchored the innings while others played around him. Captain Sikandar Raza provided late momentum with a quickfire 25 off 13 balls, sealing the innings with a towering six off the final delivery as Zimbabwe posted 169/2.
Australia’s run chase faltered from the outset, slumping to 34/4 inside the powerplay. Muzarabani struck early by removing Josh Inglis and later dismissed Tim David for a duck. Brad Evans compounded Australia’s woes by accounting for stand-in captain Travis Head and Cameron Green, leaving the middle order under pressure.
A 77-run partnership between Matt Renshaw (65) and Glenn Maxwell (31) briefly revived Australian hopes, but the required rate continued to climb. Ryan Burl broke the stand by bowling Maxwell, and once Renshaw fell to Muzarabani in the 19th over, the resistance ended swiftly. Muzarabani returned outstanding figures of 4/17, while Evans claimed three wickets as Australia were bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs.
With the win, Zimbabwe moved to the top of Group B alongside hosts Sri Lanka, both teams collecting four points from two matches.
