Who is Brian Bennett? 5 interesting facts about Zimbabwe batter who scored 64* in historic win vs Australia in T20 World Cup 2026

Zimbabwe produced one of the most shocking upsets in T20 World Cup history by upstaging Australia in their second Group stage game of the ongoing 2026 edition. While Blessing Muzarabani walked away with the Player of the Match for his four-wicket haul in the 29-run win, the foundation of Zimbabwe’s win was laid by the batters.

Opener Brian Bennett was the star of the show, scoring a measured 56-ball 64* on a tacky Colombo pitch. His half-century helped the African nation amass an above-par 169/2 in 20 overs.

The 22-year-old has fast established himself as Zimbabwe’s Mr.reliable across formats over the past year. Yet, Bennett remains largely unknown in the big picture of the sport.

As we celebrate Brian Bennett’s match-winning knock against the mighty Aussies, let us discover five interesting facts about the right-handed opener.

#1 Memorable Under-19 World Cup

The 2022 Under-19 World Cup is remembered for several moments, but none involving Zimbabwe, as they finished second-to-last in their group. Yet, Brian Bennett quietly went about his business, making consistency his calling card through the tournament.

The right-hander finished as the sixth-leading run-scorer of the competition and Zimbabwe’s highest run-getter with 273 runs. Bennett also boasted an excellent average of over 45 and an equally impressive strike rate of 84.52 in six outings, including three half-centuries.

His consistent showing in the Under-19 World Cup was the first sign of bigger and better things to come for the youngster.

#2 Historic double in Test cricket

It is not often that a cricketer scores a century and picks up a five-wicket haul in the same innings of a Test match. Yet, the rarity of the occurrence multiplies when it is only the second Test of a cricketer’s career, as was the case with Brian Bennett in 2024.

After an underwhelming Test debut against Ireland earlier in the year, the right-hander struck gold in his second Test outing against Afghanistan. Bennett scored a breathtaking 110* off 124 deliveries after walking in to bat at No.7, propelling Zimbabwe to a massive 586.

He followed that up with a brilliant spell of 5/95 even as the Afghans posted one run shy of 700. Bennett became only the second Zimbabwean to achieve the feat of scoring a century and picking up a five-wicket haul in the same Test innings.

#3 A remarkable T20I streak

Brian Bennett has started his T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with back-to-back unbeaten half-centuries against Oman and Australia. He also enjoyed a streak of three consecutive 40s at the end of last year, showcasing his remarkable consistency in the most volatile format.

Yet, those pale in comparison to his historic run of four consecutive T20I half-centuries in a memorable week in 2025. Bennett scored a 72 and 65 against Uganda and Botswana, before smashing his maiden T20I century against Tanzania.

The stylish right-hander made it four in a row with a 51 against Kenya in Harare before a 15-run dismissal against Namibia ended the streak. Nevertheless, Bennett remains one of only 13 players to have achieved the rare feat of four straight half-centuries in T20Is.

#4 A breakthrough 2025 in white-ball cricket

Brian Bennett was a slow starter in white-ball cricket, with unimpressive 2023 and 2024 seasons with the willow. However, come 2025, the 22-year-old turned into a different beast, scoring runs at will in ODIs and T20Is.

Bennett finished in the top 10 for the most T20I runs in a calendar year with 936 runs at an average of over 37 and a strike rate of 147.86 in 25 outings. Furthermore, the youngster also shone in ODIs, finishing with a phenomenal average of 53.60 and a strike rate of over 97 in five games.

#5 A unique family connection in the sport

Brian Bennett’s family connection with cricket is stuff even beyond the best scripted movie. The Zimbabwe batter’s twin brother, David Bennett, also featured in the 2022 Under-19 World Cup.

While Brian was Zimbabwe’s leading run-scorer in the tournament, David was second with 222 runs at an average of 44.40 in six matches. However, David could not replicate his twin brother and break into the Zimbabwean senior side.