For a team that failed to even qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Zimbabwe have stunned everyone with their performance at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. In the last edition, Uganda upstaged Zimbabwe, breaking the heart of the Chevrons. It was a gut-wrenching moment for Zimbabwe to miss out on a place for a 21st-ranked team in T20Is. But now, Sikandar Raza’s men have dazzled the ongoing tournament, reminding everyone what ZImbabwe truly means to world cricket.
Raza’s Zimbabwe go unbeaten at T20 World Cup
Zimbabwe were a mere afterthought when the T20 World Cup schedule was announced. From Group B, Sri Lanka and Australia were considered to qualify. They were the pre-seeded teams but Zimbabwe stunned everyone with their plucky character and superb planning rolled the other teams. Zimbabwe started by steamrolling past Oman with a handsome win. Australia were handed a killing blow with a measured performance before rain sealed Zimbabwe a Super 8 spot, their first ever.
Now, on Thursday, Zimbabwe silenced co-hosts Sri Lanka. The SL vs ZIM game was all but confidence-building. Zimbabwe have doubled down, stunning the Lankans were another special show. At the Premadasa Stadium, Zimbabwe shot down a run chase of 179, the second-highest at the stadium. All of Zimbabwe’s wins have been powered through their pace bowling unit.
Can Zimbabwe spring a surprise at T20 World Cup Super 8s?
Zimbabwe have lit up the T20 World Cup 2026, with everyone talking about their special performance with both bat and ball. To empower their template, Zimbabwe have taken the goods of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Like Afghanistan, they take a measured approach with the bat and always eye par score. With the ball, Zimbabwe pacers scuffle with the opposition. Blessing Muzurbani and Brad Evans, the two tall speedsters, have been ruthless, taking 9 wickets and 8 wickets, respectively.
Things have worked for Zimbabwe in Sri Lanka. But can they continue this in India, where they will play all their Super 8 against the likes of the West Indies, South Africa and India? Well, why can’t they? While they can have trouble to adapt to the Indian pitches, with their batters likely to punch above their weight, Zimbabwe can surely cause upsets.
Zimbabwe’s Last 6 Wins in T20 World Cup
| Year | Opponent | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Ireland | Sikandar Raza |
| 2022 | Scotland | Sikandar Raza |
| 2022 | Pakistan | Sikandar Raza |
| 2026 | Oman | Blessing Muzarabani |
| 2026 | Australia | Blessing Muzarabani |
| 2026 | Sri Lanka | Sikandar Raza |
Sikandar Raza’s team is on a roll. For a team to do well in India, they need to bat out of their skin and have a great pace bowling unit while the spinners would need to stick to their tasks as well. Zimbabwe have their pace bowling sorted. In Raza, Greame Cremer and Ryan Burl, they have a great spinners too. Raza will trouble India and South Africa’s left-handed heavy batting sides. India have struggled a lot against off-spinners in this World Cup, something that India’s assistant coach has also hinted.
The one thing that can go against Zimbabwe is their overdependency on runs from Raza and Brian Bennett. In last two years, Bennett and Raza have scored almost 38% of the team’s total runs in T20Is. In this T20 World Cup, Bennett has scored almost 39% of Zimbabwe’s 457 runs. The overdependency is stark. Opener Tadiwanashe Marumani has looked exciting but has failed to convert his starts. Ryan Burl is yet to enter the party and so is Dion Myers.
But what if Bennett continues his golden run? After all, no other players has scored more runs than him since the last T20 World Cup. What if Raza continues to be the match-winner he truly is? You can’t rule Zimbabwe out. West Indies can be poor despite them winning all their games. South Africa can stumble upon pressure. As for India, they haven’t been performing at the best of their abilities at all.
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