By Muhammad Jubair | Daily Sun Bangladesh
Chattogram – Brian Bennett’s journey in international cricket has been one of steady growth and immense promise.
When he first toured Bangladesh in 2024, he had already faced Ireland and Sri Lanka but struggled to make a significant impact.
However, in Chattogram, he found his footing. With an impressive 29-ball 44*, Bennett showcased his potential, even though his efforts weren’t enough to secure a win, as Bangladesh edged home by nine runs.
Despite the loss, his unbeaten knock made it clear that he had a bright future in Zimbabwe’s cricketing lineup.
Fast forward to April 2025, and Bennett played a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s famous Test victory over Bangladesh in Sylhet, cementing his place as a key player.
His rise — from that memorable knock in Chattogram to being instrumental in a historic win — highlights his rapid development and marks him as one to watch.
For Bangladesh, Bennett is no longer just a fleeting presence but a familiar face they will encounter often in the years ahead.
Just like his batting, Bennett is also a measured speaker. You can test him with tricky questions all you want — he won’t bite. He calmly lets them pass with a smile.
Daily Sun caught up with him on Saturday, right after Zimbabwe’s practice session at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium, to talk about his connection with Bangladesh and the secret behind his success here.
“I think the biggest part is preparation before coming to the subcontinent, especially Bangladesh, where the pitches can turn a lot. The work you do back home and in the nets before the matches is the key,” Bennett said, flashing his baby-faced smile.
“Bangladesh has been nice to play in — I think I’ve done pretty well the two times I’ve been here. I hope it only gets better,” he continued.
Zimbabwe cricket has often been dominated by a few well-known families, and Bennett is part of that tradition.
He and his twin brother David Bennett both represented Zimbabwe at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup in the West Indies. Their father also played for Zimbabwe’s Under-19 team. For the Bennetts, cricket is not just a sport; it is life itself.
“I’ve been playing cricket for most of my life. I think I first picked up a bat when I was three or four years old. I’ve got a twin brother and a younger brother too. I went to the Under-19 World Cup in 2022 in the Caribbean with my twin brother. We’ve played cricket together our whole lives. My dad built nets at home, so every time we got back from school, we could practice. Having a twin brother helped a lot because I was never alone — always had someone to play with,” he recalled.
After the Under-19 World Cup, Bennett was picked up by Mountaineers, a Mutare-based domestic side. There, he scored his maiden first-class hundred, and just six to eight months later, made his T20I debut against Ireland at Harare Sports Club.
Growing up in a cricketing family helped shape Bennett’s batting technique. “Playing cricket from a young age naturally helped. My dad also played a bit of cricket — he didn’t play nationally but represented Zimbabwe Under-19 and played club cricket. So cricket was always part of the family. Regarding my technique — if your defense is strong, not much can trouble you. Our coach, Justin (Sammons), always says, ‘If you can keep out the bowler’s best ball, you’re hard to get out.’ So it’s about having a strong defense, being patient, and then putting the bad ball away,” Bennett explained.
He also shared his formula for succeeding across all three formats, “I think T20s and ODIs are a little bit similar for me — there’s not much swing early on. It’s about adapting. Sometimes you can play your natural game, and sometimes you have to pull back a little. Going into a match with a clear game plan helps — knowing what I want to do and having a clear mindset: if the ball is there to hit, I’ll hit it. If not, I’ll defend or leave it. That’s my approach across formats.”
Zimbabwe Cricket is aiming high, with a new generation waiting to take over. With seasoned players like Sean Williams and Craig Ervine nearing the end of their careers, youngsters like Bennett and Blessing Muzarabani are preparing to carry Zimbabwe cricket forward.
While the seniors are still around, Bennett is soaking up all the knowledge he can, aiming to be part of a stronger team by the time the 2027 ODI World Cup — to be held at home — comes around.
“I think it’s great that we still have some senior guys playing — it’s a good transition period. It’s great for us young players to learn from them. We’ve got the 2026 World Cup in India and the 2027 ODI World Cup at home in Zimbabwe. Those are massive tournaments. Our goal is to build a strong squad leading up to those World Cups. There’s some great young talent coming through, and with the senior players around, it creates a nice balance. I’m proud to be a part of it and excited for what’s ahead for Zimbabwe cricket,” Bennett concluded.