Zimbabwe Delivers Jaw-Dropping Blow to Australia in T20 World Cup

After a shocking 23-run loss to Zimbabwe in Colombo, Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign is on the verge of collapse. Australia, who had won the toss and were set 170 runs for victory, collapsed to a miserable 29 for 4 in the powerplay, giving Zimbabwe, ranked 11th in the ICC rankings, cause for optimism.

In pursuit of Zimbabwe’s 169-2, top scorer Matthew Renshaw (65 off 44 balls) and Glenn Maxwell (31 off 32 balls) led the recovery effort with a 77-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, with three balls remaining on Friday, Zimbabwe was on their approach to dismissing Australia for 146 when Maxwell chopped on and Marcus Stoinis (6), the last hitter recognized, holed out.

Australia’s shocking defeat in their second World Cup encounter was their first T20I loss to Zimbabwe since 2007, the only other occasion the two teams had faced each other in the competition. Zimbabwe didn’t even make it to the previous T20 World Cup.

Australia is now trying to advance out of the group stage after the loss, and defeating co-host Sri Lanka in their upcoming match is now a must. However, Australia might have to rely on net run rate to advance to the Super Eight stage even if they win in Kandy on Tuesday.

Josh Inglis (8) holed out on the first ball bowled by towering Blessing Muzarabani (4 for 17) in the second over of Australia’s run chase, setting up the trouble. Australia finished at 25 for 3 as Cameron Green and a recently recovered Tim David were both caught behind for second-ball ducks.

Travis Head, 17, could consider himself unlucky to be chopping on his stumps while also filling in as captain for the ailing Mitch Marsh. However, it was only the second time in history that Australia had lost four wickets during a T20 World Cup powerplay.

Maxwell, who fought without a helmet, recovered from his terrible recent form and had a few moments of his flashy best before continuing to chop. As Australia pulled off a comeback, Renshaw, meanwhile, found happiness on the ground and famously smashed Wellington Masakadza for consecutive boundaries in the 14th over. In his fifth appearance, the No. 6 lifted his bat for his first T20I half-century.

Despite being voted player of the match in Zimbabwe’s last-start victory over Oman, Muzarabani finished with career-best numbers, and Australia’s main man missed one in the penultimate over. With eight balls remaining, the bowlers needed 31 runs after Renshaw’s wicket.

With captain Sikandar Raza suffering from calf cramps during the fielding innings and vice-captain Brendan Taylor sidelined due to a hamstring ailment, the Zimbabweans accomplished it all. A standout moment of Zimbabwe’s fantastic fielding day came when Tony Munyonga plunged deep for a spectacular catch that got rid of Ben Dwarshuis (6).