Can Australia advance to the Super Eights after Zimbabwe’s defeat? The 2026 T20 World Cup has been interesting so far. After witnessing several close games, fans experienced the first upset of the game. Zimbabwe defeated Australia by 23 runs in the 19th match at the R Premedasa Stadium in Colombo. Chevron have created history as they are yet to be defeated by the 2021 T20 World Champions in a T20 World Cup event.

Zimbabwe posted a defendable total of 170 for Australia after being invited to bat first. Brian Bennett’s 64 goals from 56 balls lead the African nation in the major tournament. In the chase, Australia found themselves in trouble at 29/4 as Blessing Muzarabani picked two wickets of Josh Inglis and Tim David in the power play to disrupt the top order.

Australia still set to beat Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup

The Kangaroos then went on to score 77 points, courtesy of Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw, before heading back to the dressing room with 31 points from 32 balls. Renshaw was the top scorer with a 44-ball 65 as Australia never came back after chasing the latter’s wicket and were bowled out for 146 runs.

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It was a historic victory for Zimbabwe, who faced the Men in Yellow for the second time in nine years at the T20 World Cup. The first time they did this was in 2007. Australia’s loss leaves the group stage more open, with the Kangaroos next facing co-hosts Sri Lanka.

How does Australia qualify for the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup?

Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe have won two out of two games. The island nation leads the group table in terms of run rate difference. The Men in Yellow face the United hosts on Monday in what is a must-win game for them to stay in contention for the Super 8s.

First scene: The Australian team has no choice but to win their remaining matches against Sri Lanka and Oman. However, this win won’t do them any good either as they need a big win to improve their net run-rate.

Second case: If Australia beats Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka beats Zimbabwe, and Zimbabwe beats Ireland, Australia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will receive the same points and qualification will be determined by the net winning rate.

The third situation: If both Australia and Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka, Australia and Zimbabwe will advance and the co-hosts will be eliminated. To stay in contention, Australia must win over Sri Lanka and Oman.

Australia is suffering from injuries

Blessing Muzarabani was named the best player of the game with his outstanding performance of 4/17 in the game. The Wallabies have already missed Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins due to separate injuries and are hoping regular captain Mitchell Marsh, who missed the previous two games with a “testicular hemorrhage” injury, will return against Sri Lanka.

Steve Smith was named as replacement after Marsh was injured. However, there is no official confirmation yet whether Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup.

Also read: Blessing Muzarabani appoints Mustafizur Rahman as KKR replacement