SEAMER Blessing Muzarabani rewrote Zimbabwe's bowling records with a player-of-the-match four-wicket haul for just 17 runs, leading the Chevrons to an entertaining 23-run win over Australia in a Group B ICC Men's T20 World Cup encounter at the Premadasa Cricket Ground in Colombo on Friday.
The towering seamer tore into the Aussies' top and middle order, guarding Zimbabwe's well-engineered 169/2.
This was Zimbabwe's second win over Australia in a T20 World Cup, following their inaugural victory at the 2007 tournament in South Africa.
For Muzarabani, it was his second POM award in two games at the ongoing World Cup, following his three-wicket haul for 16 runs against Oman in their opening match. He now boasts seven wickets in two matches, from eight overs.
Muzarabani's bowling figures are the best by a Zimbabwean at a T20 World Cup, surpassing Luke Jongwe's 4/18 against Pakistan in 2021.
"Yeah, I think I was bowling to some of the best players in the world, so I'm really happy it came off nicely," he said.
"The good thing is, I saw the boundary was in my favour, and I just had to use that. And the wicket was also a bit slow."
Muzarabani also etched his name in the history books, reaching 100 T20I wickets for Zimbabwe, joining an illustrious list that includes Ngarava and Raza.
Muzarabani's twin pacer, Richard Ngarava, sat out of the Australia tie due to a niggle, as did batsman Brendan Taylor.
Taylor’s World Cup campaign came to a screeching end, with top-order batter Ben Curran arriving in Colombo on Friday evening as his replacement.
"I believe Brad bowled really well. Richie was missed, but Brad bowled really well, and then everyone else also bowled really well," added Muzarabani.
The win was an all-round effort, with personnel manning their departments with accuracy, determination, and sheer precision. The batsmen set up Zimbabwe with a defendable target, led by Brian Bennett's unbeaten 63 and Tadiwanashe Marumani's quick-hit 35.
While the bowlers performed admirably, it was the team's fielding that stole the show.
Zimbabwe were prepared to literally die on the field, saving ones where there were twos, stopping boundaries, and going airborne to hold catches.
Tony Munyonga completed a stunning effort, holding on to a catch to dismiss Ben Dwarshuis off an Evans delivery – an effort that will be spoken of for years to come.
Fielding coach Stuart Matsikenyeri's leadership is beginning to manifest on the world stage.