Australia v Zimbabwe: T20 World Cup cricket – live

Colombo — Zimbabwe produced one of the most memorable upsets in recent T20 World Cup history, toppling Australia by 23 runs and leaving the five-time champions on the brink of elimination. A career-best 4 for 17 from Blessing Muzarabani and a nerveless three-wicket haul from Brad Evans orchestrated the collapse, while Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 64 and captain Sikandar Raza’s late 25 off 13 balls propelled Zimbabwe to 169 for 5 after they were inserted by stand-in Australian skipper Travis Head.

Australia’s reply never found momentum. Muzarabani removed Josh Inglis in the second over and Evans prised out Cameron Green and Tim David in quick succession to leave the chase at 34 for 4 inside the powerplay. Matt Renshaw’s maiden T20I half-century — 65 from 44 balls — briefly raised hopes, but when Glenn Maxwell chopped on for 31 the required rate ballooned beyond reach. Muzarabani returned to remove Renshaw and Adam Zampa in the 19th, sealing Zimbabwe’s first World Cup win over Australia since their famous 2007 triumph in Cape Town.

Head refused to blame the toss, insisting the wicket played evenly, but conceded early wickets “put us under pressure”. Raza, still battling cramp, hailed the culture within the group: “I have the feeling of a brother whose younger brothers have achieved something together.”

The result leaves Australia needing a sequence of favourable outcomes to advance, while Zimbabwe turn their attention to the next assignment with qualification very much in their own hands.