The Australian and Irish national teams have ended their participation in the T20 World Cup after the crucial match between Zimbabwe and Ireland was called off due to torrential rains in Pallekele. This result benefits the Zimbabwean team, which, thanks to the point gained, advanced to the Super Eight stage. Australia, the 2021 champions, lost any mathematical chance of progressing further, finishing third in Group B.
Rain Eliminates Favorites
The Zimbabwe-Ireland match in Pallekele was called off due to rainfall, which automatically eliminated Australia and Ireland from further competition.
Historic Advancement for Zimbabwe
Thanks to the point gained, Zimbabwe advanced to the Super Eight stage, overtaking the former world champions in the group standings.
End of Australia's Hopes
Australia needed specific results from other matches to advance via net run rate, but the weather prevented this scenario from materializing.
The tournament journey of the Australian team in the Twenty20 World Cup 2026 came to an end under dramatic meteorological circumstances. On Tuesday morning in Pallekele, heavy and persistent rainfall made it impossible to play the match between Zimbabwe and Ireland. The umpires were forced to abandon the match without a single ball being bowled, which, according to tournament regulations, resulted in the points being shared between the two teams. This one point proved crucial for Zimbabwe, which accumulated a total of 5 points and secured second place in Group B, just behind the tournament co-host – Sri Lanka. This situation definitively closed the path to advancement for the Australians, who needed an Irish victory to qualify. The former world champions were hoping for a favorable combination of results, including a high-scoring win over Oman in their final match coupled with Zimbabwe's defeats, but the weather thwarted those plans. The T20 World Cup has been organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 2007, and Australia won its only title in this format in 2021 during the tournament in the United Arab Emirates. For Ireland, Tuesday's events also mark the end of their dreams of success. The "Boys in Green" needed an absolute victory to retain a glimmer of hope of progressing from the group after earlier losses to Sri Lanka and Australia. Although their victory over Oman improved their situation, they ultimately finished in third place with 3 points. The sporting competition in Group B was decided by force majeure, a common yet frustrating element of cricket played in South Asia. Group B results affecting the standings: Sri Lanka 182:181 Australia; Zimbabwe 0:0 Ireland Final Group B Table (Top): 1. Sri Lanka — 6 pts; 2. Zimbabwe — 5 pts; 3. Australia — 4 pts; 4. Ireland — 3 pts