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PALLEKELE: Zimbabwe booked their place in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after their crucial Group B clash against Ireland was washed out due to rain at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, a result that officially ended Australia’s campaign.
The abandoned match handed one point each to both teams, taking Zimbabwe to five points and confirming them as the second side from Group B to advance, alongside Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, this result sealed Australia’s fate, who were already under pressure after defeats to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Their qualification hopes depended on Zimbabwe losing to both Ireland and Oman, which would have kept the race open on four points.
Australia would then have needed a convincing win over Oman in their final group match to progress on net run rate.
However, the shared points between Zimbabwe and Ireland shut that door completely. Even a win in their last fixture can now only take Australia to four points, leaving them mathematically out of contention.
It marks the second time Australia have crashed out in the group stage of a Men’s T20 World Cup.
Ireland, meanwhile, also bowed out of the tournament. With just one victory — against Oman, they finished their campaign with three points.
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