Australia suffers shock defeat by Zimbabwe at T20 World Cup

(AP) — Zimbabwe caused the first major upset at the T20 Cricket World Cup with a surprise 23-run win against Australia on Friday.

Blessing Muzarabani grabbed 4-17 and Brad Evans picked up 3-23 as Australia was bowled out for just 146 in 19.3 overs, suffering a first loss in Group B that also features co-host Sri Lanka.

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.

“I was bowling to some of the best players in the world, so I am really happy it came off really nice,” said Muzarabani, who also completed 100 wickets in T20s. “Really good to beat Australia, but also (will be) nice to qualify, so looking forward to the next game now.”

In the only other previous T20 World Cup game between the two nations, Zimbabwe defeated Australia by five wickets in 2007.

Australia was without captain Mitchell Marsh, sidelined for the second successive game due to a testicular injury he picked up on the eve of the first game against Ireland.

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