T20 World Cup 2026: Zimbabwe make it to Super 8 after Ireland game gets washed out, result eliminates Australia

2021 T20 World Cup champions Australia bowed out of the ongoing edition of the marquee event after Zimbabwe earned a crucial point following the washout of their game against Ireland on Tuesday, February 17.

Zimbabwe had put themselves in the driver’s seat after beating Australia earlier in the tournament. Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka did them a favour by defeating Mitchell Marsh and Co. on Monday. This result meant that Zimbabwe needed to win one out of their last two games against Ireland and Sri Lanka to progress to the Super 8s and knock Australia out in the process.

On Tuesday, Zimbabwean fans had flocked to the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium to watch the Chevrons in action against Ireland. However, incessant rain meant that the toss had to be delayed. After hours of waiting for the rain to relent, the match officials decided to abandon the match.

Both teams earned a point apiece, and this took Zimbabwe’s tally to five from three games. Meanwhile, Australia have just two points from three games and even a win against Oman in their last group match would only take them to four. As a result, the Chevrons became the seventh team to progress to the Super 8.

Australia have now failed to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup for three straight editions since their maiden triumph in 2021. They had their backs against the wall ahead of the tournament with injuries ruling out Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. To make matters worse, regular skipper Mitchell Marsh missed the first two games due to an injury. However, a cricketing powerhouse like Australia is expected to navigate through such turbulent waves.

Coming back to Zimbabwe, the players and fans celebrated their qualification to the Super 8 after the match by singing and dancing in unison. Sikandar Raza and Co. join India, South Africa, and the West Indies in Group 1. Ahead of the Super 8s, Zimbabwe will play their final match in the first round against Sri Lanka on Thursday.