Zimbabwe defeated former world champions Australia by 23 runs in a T20 World Cup group match at R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on Friday. Put in to bat, Zimbabwe scored 169 runs. Their innings were led by opener Brian Bennett, who remained unbeaten on 64 off 56 balls with the help of seven fours. Tadiwanashe Marumani contributed 35, Ryan Burl 35, and skipper Sikandar Raza 25 not out. The Australian bowlers kept the Zimbabwe batsmen subdued as they could hit only one six in the innings.
Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green shared the two wickets that fell. In reply, Australia were bowled out for 146 runs in the last over of their innings. Matt Renshaw scored 65 runs while Maxwell made 31 runs. Muzarabani picked up four wickets for Zimbabwe.