Brian Bennett smashed an unbeaten 59-ball 97 in India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights clash against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

Brian Bennett posted the highest score by a Zimbabwe batter in the T20 World, surpassing Sikandar Raza’s 82, which he hit against Ireland in 2022.

Bennett’s 97 not out is the second-highest individual score against India in T20 World Cups, only behind Chris Gayle’s 98 in Bridgetown in 2010.

Who Is Brian Bennett?
Brian Bennett, born on 10 November 2003 in Harare, is one of Zimbabwe’s most promising young cricketers, representing the national team in all three formats.

Cricket runs in his family, as his twin brother David Bennett is also a professional player. Bennett grew up in a sporting environment, with his father, Kelly Bennett, working as a blueberry farmer. He and his brother attended Peterhouse Boys’ School in Marondera, an institution known for producing international cricketers. During their school years, the twins regularly participated in competitive tournaments, including trips to South Africa. After finishing school, they spent an additional year at Kingswood College to further hone their cricketing skills.

His rise began at the youth level when he was selected for Zimbabwe’s squad in the 2022 ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, where he also served as vice-captain. Bennett impressed with the bat, scoring 273 runs in six matches at an average of 45.50, along with three half-centuries. He also contributed with the ball, taking four wickets, which quickly brought him into the spotlight.

Soon after, he entered domestic cricket. He made his first-class debut for the Mountaineers in December 2022 under unusual circumstances, coming in as a concussion substitute. He later debuted in T20 and List A formats in 2023, steadily building his reputation.

Bennett made his international debut in December 2023 in a T20I against Ireland. His breakthrough moment came in early 2024 when he scored an unbeaten 264 in a domestic match, showcasing his immense potential. That same year, he represented Zimbabwe Emerging at the African Games, where the team won gold.

His international career progressed rapidly. He made his Test debut in July 2024 and soon scored a century against Afghanistan, becoming one of Zimbabwe’s youngest centurions. In the same match, he also took a five-wicket haul. In February 2025, he registered his maiden ODI century, scoring 169 against Ireland, confirming his status as a rising star in world cricket.