In a dramatic turn at the T20 World Cup 2026, relentless rain in Pallekele forced the cancellation of the Ireland vs Zimbabwe Group B showdown without a single ball bowled. The match, the 32nd of the tournament, ended in a shared point each, sealing Australia’s fate and knocking the powerhouse out of Super 8 contention.
Zimbabwe, now firmly in the Super 8 driver’s seat, tops Group B with five points from three matches, including two victories. Their standout performance came against Australia on February 13, where they posted 169 for 2 in 20 overs, then bowled out the Aussies for 146 in 19.3 overs—a stunning 23-run upset. Earlier, they crushed Oman by 8 wickets.
Australia, languishing at fourth with just two points from three losses, faces a must-win against Oman on February 20. Even a victory would leave them with four points, short of Zimbabwe’s tally. Ireland and Oman also failed to advance, while Sri Lanka joins Zimbabwe in Super 8.
Zimbabwe’s Super 8 campaign kicks off against West Indies on February 23, followed by India on February 26, and South Africa on March 1. This rain-affected washout has rewritten the tournament narrative, highlighting the unpredictability of T20 cricket in Sri Lanka’s monsoon season.