Colombo erupted in cheers as Zimbabwe pulled off a stunning 23-run victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup 2026 on Friday. Captain Sikandar Raza couldn’t hide his pride, calling the win ‘incredible’ and a moment of pure joy for his team.
Batting first, Zimbabwe posted a challenging 169 for 2 in their 20 overs. Openers set a solid foundation, and the middle order accelerated smartly on a pitch that offered turn later. Australia, chasing the target, crumbled to 146 all out in 19.3 overs. Blessing Muzarabani starred with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for just 17 runs, dismantling the Aussie top order early.
‘I am so happy, but above all, I am very proud,’ Raza said post-match. ‘It’s like the feeling of an elder brother whose younger sibling is achieving great things together. It’s great to see the team performing like this. This is incredible.’
Raza himself battled cramps during the second innings but reassured fans about his fitness. ‘This has happened before in Sri Lanka. Sometimes, the pressure of leading, workload – these things happen. But it’s just cramps. With good recovery, I’ll be fine in a day or two.’
Reflecting on the batting strategy, Raza revealed, ‘At 10 overs, we had 70 runs, and we were happy with that. Someone in the dressing room thought 190 was possible, but I said no. Chasing 190 aggressively would have seen us all out for 140. Just maintain 8-9 runs per over and see what happens.’ He credited past experiences in Sri Lanka for understanding how the wicket slows down, punishing reckless aggression.
This historic win boosts Zimbabwe’s campaign. They face Ireland next on February 17 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, aiming to build momentum in the group stage.