Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S stunning 23-run victory over Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup in Colombo on Friday was not only a team triumph but a landmark occasion for several individual players who etched their names into the nation’s cricketing records.
Opening batsman Brian Bennett continued his impressive rise on the international stage, surpassing former captain Hamilton Masakadza to claim fourth place on Zimbabwe’s all-time T20 International run-scoring chart.
The 22-year-old anchored Zimbabwe’s innings with a composed knock of 64 runs off 56 deliveries, striking seven boundaries in the process. Bennett has now accumulated 1 708 runs from 54 innings at an impressive average of 34.16 and a strike rate of 143.65.
At the summit of Zimbabwe’s T20I run charts sits captain Sikandar Raza with 2,913 runs, followed by Ryan Burl (1 920 runs) in second position and retired all-rounder Sean Williams (1 805 runs) in third.
Bennett’s rapid rise underscores his growing influence within the Chevrons’ batting line-up as Zimbabwe continues its World Cup campaign.
While Bennett impressed with the bat, pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani delivered a career-defining performance with the ball, claiming career-best figures of 4/17 in his four overs.
His devastating spell accounted for the prized wickets of Josh Inglis, Tim David, and Matt Renshaw, earning him the Player-of-the-Match award for the second consecutive game.
The figures represent the best bowling performance by a Zimbabwean in T20 World Cup history and the best against a full member nation in men’s T20Is, surpassing Luke Jongwe’s 4/18 against Pakistan in 2021. More significantly, Muzarabani’s haul saw him become the third Zimbabwe bowler to reach 100 wickets in T20I cricket.
In 85 appearances, he has now taken 100 wickets at an average of 21.08 . “I think I was bowling to some of the best players in the world, so I am really happy it came off really nice,” said Muzarabani.
“The good thing is, I saw the bounce was in my favour and I just had to use that. And the wicket was also a bit slow.”
Muzarabani joins an exclusive club headlined by fellow paceman Richard Ngarava, who currently leads Zimbabwe’s T20I wicket-takers.
Ngarava has claimed 111 wickets from 91 matches at an impressive average of 20.96, with two four-wicket hauls to his name. His left-arm pace has consistently troubled batters, with best figures of 4/16.
Captain Sikandar Raza completes the trio, having taken 103 wickets in 129 T20I appearances at an average of 23.03, including two four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul.
The win over the 2021 T20 World Cup champions marks Zimbabwe’s second consecutive victory in the tournament, following their earlier win over Oman, boosting their chances of Super Eight qualification.
With matches against Sri Lanka and Ireland still to come, the Chevrons have positioned themselves strongly in the group stage but they will first face off against Ireland tomorrow before playing Sri Lanka on Friday.
“It’s sometimes hard to know the yorker length but sometimes it just works out on the day.
“Really good to beat Australia, but also (will be) nice to qualify, so looking forward to the next game now,” said Muzarabani.
Peter Tanyanyiwa