"Australia's Twenty20 World Cup campaign is threatening to implode after suffering a shock 23-run loss to Zimbabwe in Colombo. Set 170 runs for victory after winning the toss, Australia slumped to a dismal 4-29 inside the powerplay and gave Zimbabwe, 11th on the ICC rankings, reason to dream. Glenn Maxwell (31 off 32 balls) and top-scorer Matthew Renshaw (65 off 43 balls) spearheaded the rescue mission with a 77-run stand for the fifth wicket in pursuit of Zimbabwe's 2-169."
"But when Maxwell chopped on and last recognised batter Marcus Stoinis (6) holed out, Zimbabwe were on their way to dismissing Australia for 146 with three balls left on Friday. Ryan Burl of Zimbabwe celebrates the wicket of Glenn Maxwell. Photograph: Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC/Getty Images The shock loss in their second World Cup match marked Australia's first T20I defeat to Zimbabwe since 2007. Zimbabwe did not even qualify for the last edition of the tournament."
"Zimbabwe did not even qualify for the last edition of the tournament. It also leaves Australia fighting to progress out of the group stage and beating co-hosts Sri Lanka in their next game is now non-negotiable. But even with a win in Kandy on Tuesday, Australia could be left to rely on net run rate to qualify for the Super Eight phase."
Australia were set 170 to win but collapsed to 4-29 in the powerplay, losing early wickets that included Josh Inglis, Cameron Green and Tim David. Glenn Maxwell (31 off 32) and Matthew Renshaw (65 off 43) combined for a 77-run fifth-wicket stand that briefly revived the chase, but Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis fell late and Australia were dismissed for 146 with three balls remaining. Zimbabwe secured a shock 23-run victory, marking Australia's first T20I loss to Zimbabwe since 2007. The defeat leaves Australia needing a win over Sri Lanka and possibly depending on net run rate to advance.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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