COLOMBO: Australia won the toss and decided to bowl first against Zimbabwe in the 19th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday.
Stand-in captain Travis Head made the call as Australia look to maintain momentum in the group stage, while Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza will lead his side in setting a target.
Playing XIs
Australia: Travis Head (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann.
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani.
Head-to-head record
Australia and Zimbabwe have met three times in T20 internationals, with Australia holding a narrow advantage, winning two matches while Zimbabwe have claimed one victory.
The two sides have faced each other once in a T20 World Cup fixture, when Zimbabwe famously defeated Australia in Cape Town in 2007. Australia managed only 138-9, with Brad Hodge top-scoring with an unbeaten 35. Zimbabwe successfully chased the target, led by Brendan Taylor’s unbeaten 60.
Australia enter the match after beating Ireland in their previous World Cup outing, hoping to build consistency following a series whitewash defeat against Pakistan.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will aim to extend their strong record against Australia in T20 World Cup meetings after beginning their campaign with a win over Oman.
Australia: W, L, L, L, NR
Zimbabwe: W, L, L, W, L
