Brian Bennett has done enough to prove that he is the future of Zimbabwean cricket.
The New Spine of Zimbabwe Cricket — Brian Bennett Takes T20 World Cup 2026 By Storm. (Image Credits: Zimbabwe Cricket X)
Shivam Dube's bowling hadn't suffered a battering that Zimbabwe's young sensation Brian Bennett unleashed on him in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash in Chennai. At least not since New Zealand's Ross Taylor and Tim Seifert hammered him for 34 runs during a T20I in 2020 in Mount Maunganui. But Bennett ensured that he would leave Team India with some questions to answer even if Zimbabwe would go down in a steep chase of 257.
Even as Zimbabwe's senior and U19 team's dwindling fortunes continued across tournaments, Bennett was fast tracked to the national setup on the back of an outstanding run in the U19 World Cup 2022. The 22-year-old was the leading run-getter for Zimbabwe in the tournament, aggregating 273 runs in six games, averaging 45.50 alongside three half-centuries. Bennett's first-class debut followed at the end of that year. It only took another year for the all-rounder to make his international debut, doing so against Ireland in December 2023. The first ODI and Test appearances followed a year later.
It only took Brian two Tests to register his maiden ton, notching it against a rising Afghanistan in December 2024 and scored his second against England in a landmark Test in Nottingham last year. His exploits in the ODI arena is highlighted by 169, leaving behind the likes of Andy Flower, Brendan Taylor, Grant Flower and Hamilton Masakadza to notch one of the highest individual scores in the format by a Zimbabwean. Bennett will arguably be fulcrum to Zimbabwe's hopes of going deep when they co-host the 2027 50-over World Cup.
Although Zimbabwe met powerhouses in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, it doesn't take away their exploits in the Group Stage and how Bennett was integral to that. A belligerent 48* against Oman was followed by a measured 64* against Australia as the African nation maintained their perfect record in T20 World Cups over the Aussies. Another masterful 63* underpinned a stiff 182-run-chase against Sri Lanka, sending warning signs to teams ahead of the Super 8 stage.
Given Team India's bowling variety and star-studded names, Zimbabwe hardly stood a chance of hunting down 257 in Chennai. The start itself was sedate and the run-chase went nowhere at the halfway stage but Bennett ensured to stick around, even taking the great Jasprit Bumrah to the cleaners. Two overs after bringing up a 34-ball fifty by hitting a six, Dube ran into a well-set Bennett, who bludgeoned 26 runs, laced with two fours and as many maximums to silence the Chepauk crowd. The assault on Dube en route to 97* has ensured that Team India may need to think long and hard about their sixth bowler heading into the do-or-die clash against the West Indies.
Bennett's tally of 277 runs in the tournament means he hardly needs anything more to prove he is the future of Zimbabwean cricket. But another innings of note against an in-form South Africa will be an icing on the cake.
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