Zimbabwe beat Australia by 23 runs at the T20 Cricket World Cup on Friday in Colombo.
Australia won the toss and elected to field against Zimbabwe, who racked up 169-2 as they engineered the first major upset at this tournament.
Set a target of 170, wickets taken in rapid succession at the closing stages of the game snuffed out Australia’s run chase. They included Tony Munyonga leaping through the air for a brilliant diving catch to take out Ben Dwarshuis.
Blessing Muzarabani grabbed 4-17 and Brad Evans picked up 3-23 as Australia was bowled out for just 146 in 19.3 overs.
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Zimbabwe’s Tony Munyonga takes a stunning catch in the field to dismiss Ben Dwarshuis in his team’s win over Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup.
Matt Renshaw, playing in his first T20 World Cup, scored a fighting 65 off 44 balls and Glenn Maxwell hit 31 off 32 deliveries, but Muzarabani and Evans did enough damage up front by claiming four wickets inside the power play to steer Zimbabwe to a second successive victory in Group B.
Opening batter Brian Bennett had earlier anchored Zimbabwe’s 169-2 with an unbeaten 64 off 56 balls. Tadiwanashe Marumani (35) and Ryan Burl (35) also made handy contributions while captain Sikandar Raza’s late acceleration (25 off 13 deliveries) was crucial.
It was the first T20 World Cup game between the two nations since Zimbabwe’s stunning five-wicket win over Australia in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2007.
Travis Head led the Australia side in captain Mitchell Marsh’s absence as he continues to recover from a testicular injury. Marsh sustained the injury in the nets on the eve of Australia’s opening Group B game and missed Australia’s 67-run win against Ireland.
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