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Brian Bennett's 97* Lights Up T20 WC Despite Zimbabwe's Exit

Zimbabwe's T20 World Cup journey ended in the Super Eight stage, but it was marked by their best-ever performance in the tournament. The major positive was the sensational emergence of young batter Brian Bennett, who scored a valiant, unbeaten 97 against India. His knock is the highest individual score by a Zimbabwe player in the tournament's history. Despite losses to India and West Indies, Zimbabwe's campaign featured historic wins over former champions Australia and Sri Lanka.

Key Points: Brian Bennett's Stunning 97* for Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup

  • Bennett's 97* is highest for Zimbabwe in T20 WC
  • Zimbabwe's best-ever T20 World Cup performance
  • Bennett is second-highest tournament run-getter
  • India posts record 256/4 batting first
2 min read

Brian Bennett: A star is born for Chevrons during memorable Super Eight T20 World Cup run

Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett scores a heroic 97* against India in the T20 World Cup Super Eight, emerging as a breakout star in a memorable campaign.

"The emergence of a young Brian Bennett at the grandest stage being the most heartwarming of them all. - Report"

Chennai, February 27

While Zimbabwe has been knocked out of the T20 World Cup in the Super Eight phase, the group undoubtedly can take a lot of positives back home with their performances, with the emergence of a young Brian Bennett at the grandest stage being the most heartwarming of them all.

Zimbabwe's 72-run loss to India, following a 107-run loss to West Indies, has sealed their exit from the T20 World Cup, with South Africa qualifying for the semifinal from their group and the shoot-off for the second semifinal spot in Group 1 being between India and West Indies, who will play a virtual knockout match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 1. The Sikandar Raza-led side nonetheless had a run to remember, their best-ever performance in the T20 World Cup, with wins over former champions Australia and Sri Lanka in the group stage being standouts.

In the chase of 257 runs against India, Bennett scored a valiant 97* in 59 balls, with eight fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 164.41 and had a 72-run stand with his skipper. It is the highest total by a Zimbabwe player in the tournament's history, outdoing Raza's 82 against Ireland in the 2022 edition in Australia.

97* by Bennett is also the second-highest individual score against India in T20 World Cups, only behind Chris Gayle's 98 in Bridgetown in 2010.

Bennett has had a sensational run at the grandest stage, in his first-ever World Cup across any format, scoring 277 runs in five matches at an average of 277.00 and a strike rate of above 135. Staying unbeaten four times, Bennett scored three fifties, with this being his best knock. So far, he is the second-highest run-getter in the tournament, behind Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan (283 runs in five innings at an average of 70.75 at a strike rate of 158.10, with a century and two fifties.

India was put to bat first by Zimbabwe and they put their highest T20 WC total of 256/4 on the board courtesy knocks from Abhishek Sharma (55 in 30 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes), Hardik Pandya (50* in 23 balls, with two fours and four sixes) and Tilak Varma (44* in 16 balls, with three fours and four sixes). In reply, Zimbabwe was valiant, posting 184/6 in 20 overs, courtesy a fine 97* in 59 balls, consisting of eight fours and six sixes by Brian Bennett and a 21-ball 31 by skipper Sikandar Raza. Arshdeep Singh (3/24) was the top wicket-taker for India.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Heartwarming to see a new star emerge. Bennett's innings was brilliant, but our boys did the job. Arshdeep's bowling was crucial. Now the real test is against West Indies in Kolkata! Eden Gardens will be electric. 💙
R
Rohit P
Respect to Zimbabwe. They played good cricket. But honestly, our batting was on another level - 256! Abhishek Sharma and Hardik were fantastic. A bit concerned about the bowling though, conceding 184. Need to tighten up for the knockout.
S
Sarah B
Watching from the US, this was such an exciting match! Bennett is a talent. Zimbabwe's story is what makes World Cups special. Good luck to India against WI, hoping for a great semifinal lineup.
K
Karthik V
Bennett's average is 277.00? 😲 That's insane for a debut World Cup! Zimbabwe found a gem. On our side, happy with the win but the fielding could have been sharper. Every run will count against Pollard & team.
M
Meera T
As an Indian fan, I'm thrilled we won, but you have to feel for Bennett. So close to a century! He carried his bat. Zimbabwe exited with their heads held high. That's the spirit of cricket. 🏏

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