Brad Evans of Zimbabwe celebrates the wicket of Travis Head of Australia during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 match between Australia and Zimbabwe at R Premadasa Stadium on February 13, 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo/Getty Images)

Zimbabwe recorded the first major upset of the ongoing T20 World Cup, defeating former champions Australia by 23 runs on Friday at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This was only the second time Zimbabwe have beaten Australia in this format. The previous win came in the 2007 edition of the tournament.After being asked to bat, Zimbabwe scored 169 for 2, led by opener Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 64 and contributions from other top-order batters. Australia were then bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs on a slow pitch.In the 2007 edition, Zimbabwe, under Prosper Utseya, had beaten Australia by five wickets with one ball remaining in a low-scoring match in Cape Town.Blessing Muzarabani took 4 for 17. Brad Evans claimed 3 for 23, while Wellington Masakadza (1/36) and Ryan Burl (1/9) also picked up wickets.Chasing 170, Australia lost early wickets and were reduced to 29 for 4 in 4.3 overs. Josh Inglis (8), Travis Head (17), Cameron Green (0) and Tim David (0) were dismissed cheaply.Matt Renshaw scored 65 off 44 balls, while Glenn Maxwell made 31. Australia were 38 for 4 at the end of the Powerplay and 67 for 4 at the halfway stage, needing 103 more runs.Renshaw and Maxwell added 77 runs for the fifth wicket in 9.5 overs to revive the chase. The partnership ended when Maxwell edged a delivery from Ryan Burl onto his stumps.Australia needed 56 runs from the last five overs. Marcus Stoinis, who had earlier left the field after being struck during the Zimbabwe innings, was dismissed for 6.Brian Bennett took a catch near the boundary to dismiss Ben Dwarshuis (7), giving Brad Evans his third wicket.Australia required 34 runs from 12 balls but lost Renshaw and Adam Zampa (2) in the 19th over. Matthew Kuhnemann (0) was run out in the final over.Earlier, Zimbabwe’s top order combined well against the Australian attack to set up the total of 169 for 2.

Group 2 qualification scenario for Super 8

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the Super 8 stage, which will have two groups of four teams each. In Group B, Australia are currently third after the defeat to Zimbabwe.Sri Lanka, with two wins in two matches, lead the group. Zimbabwe are second with two wins in two matches. Australia have one win, against Ireland, and one loss, against Zimbabwe.Australia must win both remaining matches against Sri Lanka and Oman to reach six points. They will also need big winning margins to improve their net run rate.If Australia beat Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka defeat Zimbabwe, and Zimbabwe beat Ireland, then Australia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will finish level on points, with net run rate deciding qualification.If Australia beat Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe also beat Sri Lanka, then Australia and Zimbabwe will qualify, eliminating Sri Lanka. For Australia, wins against Sri Lanka and Oman are necessary to stay in contention.