Watch: Zimbabwe's winning moment against Australia in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Match 19

Zimbabwe created history at Colombo on Friday afternoon (February 13) after defeating one-time champions Australia in the Group B fixture of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. 

After Australia chose to field first at R. Premadasa Stadium, Zimbabwe scored 169/2 in 50 overs. In reply, Australia were bowled out for 146 runs in 19.3 overs, as Zimbabwe won the crucial fixture by 23 runs.

Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett scored 64 not out off 56 balls (seven fours), while he got brilliant supports from the other batters, Tadiwanashe Marumani (35), Ryan Burl (35), and captain Sikandar Raza (25*).

In reply, Australia lost their first four wickets in the powerplay, as they were struggling at 29/4. Glenn Maxwell (31) and Matt Renshaw (65) fought hard, as they were the only batters to reach the 20-run mark in that innings, while they had a fighting 77-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Once that Maxwell-Renshaw partnership was broken, the Australian batting line-up completely collapsed, as the Chevrons claimed a strong win. 

Watch: Australia vs Zimbabwe, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 - The winning moment

Zimbabwe secured the 23-run win in the final over, when Matthew Kuhnemann (0) was run out by the Zimbabwe bowler Brad Evans, which ended the Australian innings.  

Among the Zimbabwe bowlers, Blessing Muzarabani (4/17) and Brad Evans (3/23) provided the strong start in the second innings, and the other Chevrons bowlers controlled the entire innings. 

Zimbabwe recorded two out of two wins against Australia in T20 World Cup

It was their second T20 World Cup meeting, while Zimbabwe defeated Australia in their 2007 T20 World Cup group stage meeting by five wickets with one ball remaining. 

With this victory, Zimbabwe have put themselves in a stronger position in Group B, while Australia can't afford another defeat in the remaining two group stage matches.