Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
SENSATIONAL! Stunning!
All the superlatives could fit into the bill yesterday as Zimbabwe reminded the cricket world that history always has a way of repeating itself.
This came as the Chevrons forced the global sporting fraternity to pause and take a look as they caused the first major upset at the ICC T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup, with a stunning victory over giants Australia.
Zimbabwe’s 23 runs win at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka was scripted in Heaven and underscored the huge potential which the Chevrons have of matching any side, if as their coach Justin Sammons often says, “they get their execution right’’.
The victory, a product of fantastic all-round performances, was anchored on the calm but firm batting innings by Brian Bennett who finished unbeaten on 64 runs and a fierce bowling spell by Man-of-the-Match, Blessing Muzarabani.
Zimbabwe and Australia do not often cross each other’s paths in this format, but the Chevrons would be forgiven for celebrating wildly well into the night after rekindling the memories of the inaugural World T20 when they beat the same opponents by five wickets in 2007.
The triumph meant Zimbabwe kept their winning record against the mighty Australians intact with a 2-0 head-to-head on the biggest stage of the shortest format.
Despite missing key fast bowler Richard Ngarava and veteran Brendan Taylor through injuries, and later, on skipper Sikandar Raza having to limp out with a niggle, Zimbabwe still accomplished the mission after setting Australia a target of 170 runs to win.
Muzarabani claimed a four-wicket haul as the Chevrons restricted Australia to 146 runs inside 19.3 overs.
The towering paceman finished with a career best bowling figures of 4-17 as the Zimbabweans successfully defended their total of 169/2, after losing the toss and being sent in to bat first.
Chevrons captain Raza, who was forced to follow the game from the dugout in the final overs after twice feeling discomfort on his thigh before being replaced, was thrilled by the execution from his charges.
“All I can tell you is that these are just cramps and I should be fine in the next day or two,” he said after the match.
“(I am) very happy and above all, very proud. The feeling of a brother whose younger brothers are achieving a lot together. The culture, environment, and unity we’ve created is amazing and on top of that, to win is unbelievable.
“It looked like the boys wanted (to win)and they really deserve it,” said Raza.
The performance by the Chevrons won plaudits from cricket legends like former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn and India greats Sachin Tendulkar and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Tendulkar described the result as “a statement win” from the Chevrons, who are returning to the global showpiece after failing to qualify for the previous edition held in USA and West Indies in 2024.
“A statement win from Zimbabwe! Beating Australia by 23 runs takes real character.
“And of course, Blessing turned out to be just that, a blessing in the truest sense, with a superb four-wicket spell. What an exciting tournament this is shaping up to be!” wrote Tendulkar on X.
Ashwin said Zimbabwe were clinical in their approach. The Indian spin wizard was wowed by the Chevrons’ energy and all-round commitment on the park, including the stunning catch by Tony Munyonga during the middle overs.
“This is clinical from Zim. Batting and bowling have been great but Tony Munyonga’s fielding has piled on the pressure. He has saved at least 12-15 runs and closes the deal with a spectacular catch at deep mid-wicket.
“When the ground sizes are proper, cricketing skills truly come to the fore giving a chance for all facets of the game. Really liked how the pitches have been really balanced this T 20 World Cup.
“Zimbabwe have been so good with the bat and ball so far. Great planning and superb execution!
“Look at how they have read the conditions in Colombo and ensured they attacked the power play and held wickets in hand all through the middle overs,” Ashwin said.
In-form batsman Bennett anchored Zimbabwe’s innings with an unbeaten 64 runs from 56 balls. Bennett and opening partner Tadiwanashe Marumani (35) gave the Chevrons a bright start with a 61-run partnership that was only broken after 7.3 overs when the latter was caught behind by wicket keeper Josh Inglis from the bowling of Marcus Stoinis.
Bennett then added 70 runs with Ryan Burl for the second wicket as they took the score to 131/2 in 15.6 overs. The partnership became the highest for the second wicket in Men’s T20 World Cup, breaking the record of 62 runs between Hamilton Masakadza and Taylor.
Skipper Raza joined in with a quickfire 25 from 13 balls, to help Zimbabwe post a competitive score, on a batting track that was difficult to accelerate.
Australia’s chase encountered huge challenges early on, losing for wickets for just 37 runs at the end of the powerplay overs. Matt Renshaw fought a lone battle with his 44-ball 65 but often found no accompaniment, apart from his 77-run partnership with Glenn Maxwell (31) for the fifth wicket.
Zimbabwe won the middle overs battle decisively. Controlling overs 7-15 with disciplined lengths and sharp fielding created scoreboard pressure, and Muzarabani’s burst capitalised on that squeeze.
The fielding was excellent throughout, with the highlight being Munyonga’s blinder of a diving catch to dismiss Ben Dwarshuis off the bowling of Brad Evans.
Muzarabani was the destroyer-in-chief with four wickets and was ably supported by Brad Evans who took 3-23 before ending the game with a run out of Matthew Kuhnemann after collecting a return ball and then throwing it back to the stumps with precision at the striker’s end.
Spinners Wellington Masakadza and Burl took a wicket each. Australia captain Travis Head was disappointed by the defeat but remained confident the Baggy Greens could turn around their fortunes in the remaining two games against Sri Lanka and Oman.
“We put ourselves under pressure by losing wickets. We found a partnership in the middle but we left ourselves with too many. We’ve been there before.
“I said at the toss, we saw it in 2023 with a few defeats and injuries. We have a few guys here who were there in India in 2023 and we’ll look to navigate this situation and use that blueprint,” said Head.
The result left Group B delicately poised after two games apiece, with Zimbabwe joining hosts Sri Lanka on four points in Group B while Australia are now two points behind ahead of their high stakes meeting with Sri Lanka on Monday.
Zimbabwe face Ireland in their next game at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy next Tuesday.
They will then return to Colombo to conclude their Group B fixtures against hosts Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.
