Zimbabwe Shock Australia as underdogs continue great run in T20 World Cup, Wins for USA & UAE

 

After Nepal, the USA and the Netherlands had threatened upsets , it was Zimbabwe’s turn to actually script a stunning upset in the T20 World Cup. In yet another reminder that no team can be taken lightly, Zimbabwe defeated Australia by 23 runs on Friday in Colombo, extending the remarkable run of surprises by so-called “smaller” nations.

Batting first, Zimbabwe posted an impressive 169 for 2, built on disciplined shot selection and smart acceleration at the death. In reply, Australia collapsed under pressure and were bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs, never truly threatening to chase down the target.

This was not the first time Australia have been humbled by Zimbabwe on the world stage. The African side had also beaten them in the group stage of the 2007 T20 World Cup. With just two meetings between the sides in T20 World Cups, Zimbabwe now boast a perfect 2–0 record in this tournament. Overall, across four T20 internationals, the head-to-head stands evenly at 2–2.

Chasing 170, Australia suffered a dramatic top-order implosion, losing four wickets for just 29 runs. Josh Inglis was dismissed for 8, Travis Head for 17, while Cameron Green and Tim David were both out for ducks. Blessing Muzarabani removed Inglis and David, while Brad Evans accounted for Head and Green.

Under pressure, Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw attempted a rescue act. Maxwell scored 31 off 32 balls, hitting one four and one six, while Renshaw played a fighting knock of 65 off 44 balls, with five fours and a six. Their fifth-wicket partnership added 77 runs, but once Maxwell was dismissed by Ryan Burl, Australia’s resistance faded rapidly.

Marcus Stoinis (6), Ben Darwish (6), Adam Zampa (2) and Matthew Kuhnemann (0) failed to provide support. Nathan Ellis remained unbeaten on 7, but by then the result was beyond doubt.

Zimbabwe’s bowling was a model of discipline and control. Blessing Muzarabani finished with four wickets for 17 runs, Brad Evans claimed three for 23, Ryan Burl took one for nine, and Wellington Masakadza returned figures of one for 36.

Earlier, after Australia won the toss and opted to field, Zimbabwe made full use of favourable batting conditions. The openers gave them a brisk start, with Tadiwanashe Marumani smashing 35 off 21 balls, including seven boundaries, while Ryan Burl added 35 off 30 balls with four fours.

The standout performer was Brian Bennett, who anchored the innings with a classy, unbeaten 64 off 56 balls, striking seven fours. Sikandar Raza provided the late flourish with 25 off 13 balls, including two fours and a six.

Australia’s bowlers struggled for impact. Cameron Green picked up one wicket for six runs, and Marcus Stoinis claimed one for 17, but the likes of Maxwell, Darwish, Ellis and Zampa failed to make any meaningful impression.

Zimbabwe’s victory was not just an upset—it was a statement. Calm batting, incisive bowling and unshakeable belief combined to expose Australia’s vulnerabilities, once again proving that in modern T20 cricket, reputation counts for nothing without execution.

Meanwhile in another game UAE beat Canada  as Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74 guided the United Arab Emirates to a tense five-wicket victory over Canada, keeping their slim hopes of reaching the T20 World Cup Super 8s alive.

Canada seemed in control after posting 150 for 7, but Sohaib Khan turned the match with a brutal assault on Dillon Heyliger, smashing 17 runs in one over. UAE needed eight from the final over, and Sharma eased the pressure by hitting Jaskaran Singh for a six off the first ball. After Khan was dismissed for a rapid 51 off 29 balls, Muhammad Arfan sealed the win with a boundary, finishing the chase with two balls to spare.

The result leaves UAE third in Group D with two points, but they now face the daunting task of needing surprise wins against South Africa and Afghanistan to qualify.

Earlier, Junaid Siddique starred with the ball, claiming a superb 5 for 35 – the best figures by a UAE player in T20 World Cup history. Harsh Thaker top-scored for Canada with a fluent half-century, sharing a key partnership with Navneet Dhaliwal, but Canada faltered late under tight UAE bowling and Siddique’s late strikes.

The 3rd game of the day was played between USA & Netherlands  where the  United States produced a dominant all-round performance to hammer the more experienced Netherlands by 93 runs in Match 21 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, recording their first-ever T20I victory over the Dutch.

After being sent in to bat, USA posted an imposing 196 for 6, led by Saiteja Mukkamalla’s classy 79 off 51 balls and a blistering unbeaten 48 off 24 from Shubham Ranjane. Openers Shayan Jahangir and Monank Patel provided a strong start, setting the platform for a late onslaught.

The Netherlands never threatened in the chase as USA’s spinners ran riot. Player of the Match Harmeet Singh starred with 4 for 21, supported by Shadley van Schalkwyk (3 for 21) and Mohammad Mohsin (2 for 19). The Dutch were bowled out for just 103 in 15.5 overs, with Bas de Leede and Scott Edwards the only batters to offer resistance.