Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S opening batsman Brian Bennett sealed his status as the undisputed star of the show at the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Africa Qualifier in Harare after he was named both the Player and Batter of the Tournament.
The individual awards provided fitting recognition for the tournament’s stand-out performers, as Namibia’s Nicol Loftie-Eaton was named Bowler of the Tournament for finishing with 10 wickets at an average of 6.40 and an economy rate of 4.92.
There was also an appreciation accolade for Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza’s achievement on becoming the No. 1 all-rounder in ODI cricket.
But it was Bennett who took centre stage during the Qualifier with commanding performances that raked in 314 runs, including a century and three fifties, at an average of 62.80 and a strike rate of 181.50.
The 21-year-old achieved a career milestone during the Qualifier when he became the youngest cricketer ever to slam centuries across all three formats with his 111 against Tanzania.
Before the century milestone, he had begun by setting up Zimbabwe’s victories in the group games against Uganda and Botswana after scoring 72 and 65 runs, respectively.
Then, he scored 51 runs against Kenya in the semi-final win at Harare Sports Club.
Although he could not replicate the feat in the final against Namibia, he had done enough to leave a mark.
Bennett often received support from fellow opener Tadiwanashe Marumani, who also had quite a good outing with the bat.
Zimbabwe coach Justin Sammons was excited by the individual performances.
“Yeah, I think certainly Brian Bennett is the stand-out performer. Just the way he went about his business.
“He just releases the pressure and the change from the start. Obviously partnering with Marumani, he’s been good. He’s given him that sort of support at the top.
“But certainly Bennett has been a standout. And then the whole bowling unit has been superb as well. I think the thing is, the reality is everybody’s chipped in at key stages,” said Sammons.
Marumani, who has reinvented himself in the last few months, made the huge difference with a match-winning unbeaten 74 off 61 balls against Namibia in the final. The knock earned Marumani the Player of the Match gong as Zimbabwe capped a flawless campaign by beating Namibia by seven wickets, as they successfully chased down Namibia’s 167/6 in the final at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
However, by virtue of reaching the final, both teams had already booked their places at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
But it was the hosts, Zimbabwe, who were the only team to finish the tournament unbeaten, much to the delight of their coach, Sammons.
“That’s obviously what we wanted to achieve when we came into the tournament. That was goal number one; to make sure we’re winning every game.
“And if we’re doing that, then we’re qualifying, which was obviously the main objective at the end of the day,” said Sammons.
“There was pressure on this. At the start of the game against Uganda, the way we handled that pressure was so impressive.
“And that was always going to be the key to these sort of games.
“The people wanted us to win, and we wanted to win it for them.”
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER AWARDS
Batter of the Tournament: Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe)
Bowler of the Tournament: Nicol Loftie-Eaton (Namibia)
Player of the Tournament: Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe)
