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Highest Zimbabwe totals vs Australia [Source: @ZimCricketv/x]
Zimbabwe, in the absence of senior batter Brendon Taylor, went big against Australia with the bat at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The likes of Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani and all-rounders Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza all came to the fore as Zimbabwe charted a huge competitive total against the serial ICC trophy winners.
Zimbabwe’s latest batting effort marked their best-ever one against the former T20 World champions. Celebrating Zimbabwe’s spirited performance, here is a look at their highest T20I totals against Australia to date.
4. Zimbabwe 129-9 vs Australia, Harare 2018
Facing Australia in match number three of the home T20I tri-series back in July 2018, Zimbabwe bowlers were flogged around across all corners of the Harare Sports Club by the visitors. For starters, Australia batted first and listed 229-2 in 20 overs, with blistering opener Aaron Finch slapping a world-record score of 172 off just 76 balls with 16 fours and 10 huge sixes.
Despite facing an inexperienced Australian bowling attack, Zimbabwe’s response in the run chase fell flat, as they managed just 129-9 in 20 overs to fall 100 runs short of Finch’s XI. Opening batter Solomon Mire top scored for the ‘Chevrons’ with a mere 28-run effort at the top of the order from 19 balls.
Wicketkeeper-batter Peter Moor also listed 19, with only four other batters barely managing to cross the 10-run mark in the innings.
3. Zimbabwe 139-5 vs Australia, Cape Town 2007
Zimbabwe and Australia scripted together one of the greatest matches in the history of T20 World Cups, doing so on just the second day of the inaugural edition back in September 2007 in Cape Town.
Having lifted the ODI World Cup in the Caribbean earlier that same year, Australia’s famed batting line-up was blown to pieces by Zimbabwe bowlers Elton Chigumbura (3-20) and Gary Brent (2-19) as Ricky Ponting’s pantheons managed just a below par 138-9 upfront.
Chasing a reasonable target, Zimbabwe still found themselves going up against champion fast bowlers like Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken and Stuart Clark.
Opening batter Brendon Taylor led Zimbabwe’s charge, moulding an ice-cool 60* off 45 balls. His leg glance off Bracken in a thrilling final over also notched up the winning runs for Zimbabwe, thus marking a historic sporting occasion for the proud African nation.
2. Zimbabwe 151-9 vs Australia, Harare 2018
In match six of the Zimbabwe T20I tri-series in July 2018, the hosts gave Australia a run for their money by charting 151-9 in 20 overs. Solomon Mire compiled 63 off 52 balls at the top of the order with five boundaries and a six. Peter Moor also made 30 at a near run-a-ball as Zimbabwe overcame some renowned BBL stars like Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake and IPL purple-cap winner Andrew Tye.
Zimbabwe’s spirited batting performance nearly toppled Australia, as bowlers Blessing Muzarabani (3-21) and Wellington Masakadza (1-32) dragged the match up until the final over. Australia eventually came out on top with a mere ball in hand.
1. Zimbabwe 169-2 vs Australia, Colombo 2026
The Zimbabwe team once again punched above its weight against Australia in a T20 World Cup, this time doing so in their crucial Group B match of the 2026 edition in Colombo. Batting first, Zimbabwe mounted 169-2 in 20 overs, with unbeaten opener Brian Bennett smearing 64* of those runs with seven elegant boundaries.
His opening partner Tadiwanashe Marumani also belted 35 off just 22 balls at the top of the order. Fiery all-rounder Ryan Burl compiled 35 off 30 and senior captain Sikandar Raza led Zimbabwe’s slog-overs impetus with a cracking 13-ball 25*.
