Zimbabwe produced yet another giant-killing act in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 as they beat co-hosts Sri Lanka in a Group B tie played in Colombo today, Feb. 19. Batting first, Sri Lanka were propelled to a score of 178/7 thanks to Pathum Nissanka's knock of 62 off 41 balls and ably backed by Pavan Rathnayake's cameo of 44 from 25 deliveries.
Despite a tricky score to chase, Zimbabwe had little problem as their innings was powered by an unbeaten 63 off 48 balls by opener Brian Bennett and skipper Sikanadar Raza's knock of 45 from 26 balls. Zimbabwe reached their target in 19.3 overs with six wickets in hand. It is their second-highest run chase in T20Is.
Earlier in the tournament, Zimbabwe stunned Australia by 23 runs and that result was instrumental in them progressing to the next round and also the Aussies getting dumped out. The African nation, who failed to qualify for the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup, have now taken down two former T20 World Cup champions.
Even before this match got underway, they had secured a place in the Super 8 stage of the tournament. With three wins, they have topped their group and are yet to be beaten in the tournament.
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Here is a look at some of Zimbabwe's previous famous wins at ICC's global events in the men's game:
ZIM vs AUS - 1983 ODI World Cup, England
Zimbabwe batted first and scored 239/6 on the back of captain Duncan Fletcher's innings of 69 off 84 balls. Australia started the chase well as Kepler Wessels hit a half-century but he got little support from the other end. Fletcher also produced special performance with the ball as he bowled a spell of 4/42. Australia were eventually restricted to 226/7, handing Zimbabwe a win by 13 runs.
ZIM vs IND - 1999 ODI World Cup, England
Sixteen years after shocking Australia, Zimbabwe stunned India at the 1999 ODI World Cup in England. Zimbabwe's Flower brothers, Grant and Andy, batted their hearts out to guide team to a competitve score of 252/9. Sadagoppan Ramesh kick-started India's chase with a fifty, but India lost the plot midway. The match went down to the wire and pacer Henry Olongo took three wickets in the 45th over to break Indian hearts and hand Zimbabwe yet another famous win.
ZIM vs SA - 1999 ODI World Cup, England
A few days after beating India, Zimbabwe beat their African rivals South Africa. Neil Johnson's innings of 76 took Zimbabwe to a score of 233/6. South Africa were left tottering at 40/6 in their chase. All-rounders Shaun Pollock and Lance Klunsner both scored 52, but their efforts failed to rescue South Africa as the Proteas were bowled out on 185, handing Zimbabwe a comprehensive 48-run win and qualification into the Super 6s.
ZIM vs AUS - 2007 T20 World Cup, South Africa
Before beating Australia in the current World Cup, Zimbabwe upstaged Australia in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007. Good spells from Elton Chigumbura (3/20) and Gary Brent (2/19) ensured Australia only managed 138/9 in 20 overs. Brendon Taylor's unbeaten 60 off 45 balls steered Zimbabwe's successful chase as they won by five wickets and one ball to spare.
ZIM vs PAK - 2022 T20 World Cup, Australia
Mohammad Wasim's fiery spell of 4/24 coupled with Shadab Khan's three wickets helped Pakistan restrict Zimbabwe to just 130/8 in Perth. Shaan Masood scored 44 in the run-chase, but Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The match went down to the final over with Pakistan needing 11 runs. Pakistan goofed up in the final six deliveries handing Zimbabwe victory by one run in a fiesty clash. Pakistan-born Sikandar Raza starred with the ball with figures of 3/25.
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