Colombo: Australia suffered its joint-worst powerplay collapse in T20 World Cup history on Friday, losing four wickets for just 38 runs in a chaotic opening six overs against Zimbabwe at R. Premadasa Stadium.

Chasing a target of 170, the Australian top order was dismantled by a relentless Zimbabwean pace attack. The collapse began in the second over when Josh Inglis was caught off Blessing Muzarabani for 8. The situation rapidly deteriorated in the fourth over as Brad Evans removed Cameron Green for a duck, followed immediately by Muzarabani claiming Tim David, also for zero.

The defining blow came at the 4.3-over mark when stand-in captain Travis Head (17) was bowled by Evans, leaving Australia reeling at 29/4. While the team reached 38/4 by the end of the mandatory fielding restrictions, the four-wicket loss equals the record for most wickets lost in a T20 World Cup powerplay, a mark first set against Sri Lanka in 2010.

Muzarabani and Evans combined for figures of 4-23 during their initial spells, capitalising on a surface providing unexpected bounce. Australia now relies on a middle-order recovery to keep their Group B momentum alive.