HIGHLIGHTS Ireland vs Zimbabwe, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, 32 T20- Result, Scorecard

A series of dead rubbers? Unfortunately, that might be the case. We have got 8 games left in the league stage, but with just one position to fill in the Super Eight. We will have a series of dead rubbers in store now, but this is a World Cup and every individual would want to do well for the country. Zimbabwe next meet Sri Lanka on Thursday, 19th February, 2026, at the Premadasa, in another afternoon game (9.30 am GMT). Ireland are done with their allotted fixtures for this World Cup. We are done from this damp outing but are not done for the day yet. The Scotland-Nepal clash is set to begin from 1.30 pm GMT at the Wankhede and our buildup will begin soon. Do head over to that matchcentre. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Just a tick in the box - The skipper of Zimbabwe, SIKANDAR RAZA, is first asked about who will sing the victory song for the team. Raza smiles and says that it will be Richard Ngarava, having made some very good songs for the team and ranked as the headmaster. Coming to the serious part on how big is qualification for the Super 8 stage, Sikandar takes us back to the sub-regional qualifiers played by Zimbabwe against teams like Kenya and Tanzania and many more. Adds that during that juncture, he got the team together and said that the team is in this mess because of the way it has been playing and it is the players themselves who have to get out of this mess. SR goes onto say that as much as Zimbabwe can celebrate, only a portion of the box gets ticked, but the whole box is still pending. Adds that the focus will be back for their next game and on the path forward. On the plans for the next game against Sri Lanka, Sikandar Raza says that himself and the coach will sit down and get the data on the Lankan players and try and put their best foot forward. Adds that Zimbabwe's ultimate goal is not qualifying just for the Super 8s. It is just a tick in the box and they have got a long way to go. On the weather hampering their training sessions, Raza says that every condition they find themselves in, they try to train. Adds that everyday we cannot have the same weather and conditions so they make do with whatever they get. Further says that the team watches the games played before on those wickets and then assesses, plans and trains accordingly, aiming to do well on match day. On being asked about the fans who have travelled across the globe for this event, Sikandar says that whichever corner they are sitting at, at any ground, they are the loudest. Adds that they pick the team up and bring a lot of energy. The skipper informs us that these fans have come in paying from their own pockets. Stresses that the team and management are trying to generate more awareness and get more help and support for such fans. Concludes by saying that the more matches Zimbabwe win, the more supporters they shall generate.

Got a good crop - The captain of Ireland, LORCAN TUCKER, admits that it is disappointing to go out in this fashion, as they would have liked a game to happen. On their journey in this edition, Tucker says that the team did get some momentum from the Oman game, but got it very late. Looks back at moments from the Sri Lanka clash, which they could have possibly won and changed their fate. Regarding the squad, Lorcan says that this Irish group is very young, with many playing their first World Cup. But is amazed looking at their skills and finds it very encouraging. Hopes that these players develop and Ireland get a good crop for the next World Cup.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

A new first - For the first time in the history of Men's T20 World Cups, Zimbabwe have qualified for the Super Eight stage. But don't go by judging them on their luck in this particular match. Just like Australia, the Chevrons are solely responsible for their own passage and have thoroughly deserved this success. Thrashing Oman and then say, shocking or beating Australia, whichever word suits you, they have knocked the door ajar to the ICC, raising the cry loud and clear - Please give more matches for teams ranked outside the top 8 outside the World Cups. No Starc. No Hazlewood. No Cummins. No Smith, I mean, not selected. No Marsh and David for the first two games. Boo. Really sad for the Aussies, being undermined. Of course, no one denies that. But then. No Brendan Taylor for the World Cup. Skipper Sikandar Raza goes down with cramps while bowling against Australia. Graeme Cremer gets a split webbing on his bowling hand. Shouldn't we feel sad for Zimbabwe as well? Yet, they fought and conquered. Bottom line - We can give n number of excuses for our failures. Or we can manage with what we have got and give our best. Take a bow, Zimbabwe, defying odds, you have fought like a warrior nation and roared into the next round. Let the feeling sink in.

Let's do the rain dance! It is party time for and in Zimbabwe. They would be overwhelmed by this result, not the call off, but their qualification for the next stage. By this virtue, both, Ireland and Australia have been knocked out. A tough pill to swallow for the 2021 champions but poor cricket is the main reason for the Kangaroos being bounced out early. As far as Ireland are concerned, they will be disappointed as well. It is understandable to be defeated after playing, but to be shown the exit door without that final chance is something no one can argue about. They would have gained massive confidence after their previous win over Oman and would have been gung ho to win this match, but sadly, no one can conquer fate.

12 pm GMT - MATCH CALLED OFF! It does seem that way. The umpires have had a word with the groundstaff and now, are going to talk to the two captains. Yes, it does appear that the expected fear is going to come out true. Sikandar Raza and Lorcan Tucker come down, have a chat with the umpires and then shake hands. That will be it then, for this game. The match has been called off and ZIMBABWE QUALIFY FOR THE SUPER 8!

It is about focussing ahead now - A few hours before the scheduled match start, Natalie Germanos managed to grab a quick byte from Zimbabwean seamer Blessing Muzarabani. On the repeated question of how does it feel on beating Australia, Muzarabani says that it feels good and winning against Australia goes pretty deep  Adds that the Aussies are one of the world's best for a reason. But quickly says that he is happy that the players didn't go overboard with the celebration and now, it is about focusing ahead. On his success so far in this edition, Blessing says that the conditions have been helping him adjust to the wicket. Details that in the first match, it was the bounce, while the second was different but says that he felt that he adjusted to the conditions. On his pitch expectations from today, BM says that he was watching the game yesterday (Sri Lanka vs Australia) but will only be able to assess once he starts bowling on this pitch. Asked about the T20 format, Blessing Muzarabani says that as a bowler, you need to stick to your processes and hope that the results come your way. On Zimbabwe's plans for a shortened game, Muzarabani says that what's important is to get over the line. Stresses that just getting the win is Zimbabwe's focus at the moment.

11.30 am GMT - Grim - Conditions and mood - Nothing progressive from the previous update. The umpires and the match referee are seen walking down the stairs and having an extensive discussion with the groundstaff. One suspects that it would have been more on the lines of how long would the groundstaff need to get the ground ready, if and when the drizzle / rain stops.

Zimbabwe through to the Tasman? Huh? Well, let's give you some context. 'So qualifying for the Super 8 means automatic qualification for the next World Cup?', pips my colleague. The question has been framed keeping Zimbabwe in mind and actually, he is right. These are the scenarios of direct qualification for a T20 World Cup - 1. The host nation (s). 2. Teams that qualified for the Super 8 stage of previous edition. 3. Three additional spots based on ICC team rankings upto a specific date, roughly 2 years prior. So given that the next edition of the T20 World Cup is slated to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the Trans-Tasman rivals qualify directly. But so do Zimbabwe, (assuming that they are in the Super 8 now), without needing to have to play any Qualifiers! Massive achievement. Yeah, we might be counting our chickens even before they have hatched but it does seem that the Lap Of The Gods is seeming to favour the Chevrons at this stage.

11 am GMT - A look at mother nature - It is a great view. The hills just behind the ground make it a compelling watch. Plenty of trees around the ground, so it is a pretty green scenario. Then you look at the ground, and ahhh.... it feels like you have come to a reptile park. Rattle snakes, snails and even the Thalagoya, more commonly known as the Bengal Monitor Lizard are known to make every Lankan ground their home. However, that's all the people at the ground can see. Up at the heavens, the skies are grey and precipitating. Down, on the ground, it is a sea of blue, with the covers swarming the entire area. In short, the drizzle continues and we have nothing else to update.

Can sides like Zimbabwe keep their spirit in the next round? It can spark a good debate, actually. One of the reasons that teams outside the top 10 of the ICC rankings are called minnows is their inability to play good cricket for a long period of time. Yes, Zimbabwe have defeated Australia and have a good record against Sri Lanka in the recent past as well - but can they carry this momentum into their next group, which consists of India, West Indies and South Africa? Your guess is as good as ours. Some experts might argue that if a 'minnow' makes it to the Super Eight, it becomes a bit easy for the other teams as each will fancy a win over the new entrant. It is an argument, it is a debate and can be settled only by a performance in the field. Before the World Cup started, former Indian allrounder R Ashwin had sent a warning to the ICC that by keeping matches such as India and USA as the opening fixture for the home team, you are taking a huge risk with fans most likely to opt out of that one-sided fixture. The proof is in the pudding. Did the crowd turn up? Of course, it did, in large numbers. Was it one-sided? Well, the result was. But for the first half of that match, we can vouch that the States proved their fighting spirit. At the end of the day, the better team will win. Zimbabwe have defeated Australia by merit, not by chance. So if they can beat a champion side, they will believe they can beat others too. But if they don't get a chance, how will they even prove themselves? That's why the T20 World Cups are so exciting. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Australia lost their first two matches to India and South Africa. But with time on their side, they managed to regroup and recover. Come the T20 format, the Aussies have lost two matches and are on the brink of elimination. That's how it should be at the global stage. Not on your watch, then you might have to bid goodbye!

Covers coming off again? Not quite. The fans get ahead of themselves, making a loud cheer as they see a few groundstaff rushing with the covers away from the playing area. But that's not a sign of the removal of covers. All those hard-working people are doing is taking the covers off towards the boundary and then emptying the puddle of water beyond the boundary, and then bringing the covers back on. The drizzle has not stopped, so the covers won't be removed so early.

Worry and joy - The camera pans onto the Irish dressing room first and then the fans. The Irish look very sombre, as anyone would be, in a race against time. A couple of players can be seen identifying probably a few patchy areas on the outfield. Slim chance, but Ireland would like to go out after playing, not because of a washout. Looking at the fans, they don't care. It is a large contingent of red and yellow jerseys. If play happens, they can watch their team play. If it doesn't, their team goes through to the next stage! A perfectly win-win situation.

Scratch the previous update. We are seeing live visuals and the covers are coming off! Not all, but the signs are hopeful. The main cover from the pitch is off but there are some wet areas on the outfield. In fact, a lot of puddles have formed on the covers itself. Oh dear. Just as we say that, the drizzle returns and umpire Ahsan Raza calls for the covers again! Pommie Mbangwa on air confirms that the players need to get on the park by 12.40 pm GMT, for a 5-over contest, subject to confirmation from the match officials. We have also started to lose overs as well.

10.30 am GMT - The drizzle persists - From whatever information we can get, it appears as if the drizzle is persistent. It is not too heavy, as in, if play had begun, we probably would not have gone off for this. But as per the rules, we cannot start until the precipitation stops completely. So we continue waiting.

10 am GMT - The drizzle returns - Bad news. For the sport lovers, that is. The drizzle has returned and it seems with a bit more intensity as some of the umbrellas have started to go up in the stands. Now, we will definitely cross the buffer period and overs will start getting reduced soon. Given the forecast, fingers are crossed for some kind of a game, however short it might be. We are hearing that the cut-off time for a 5-over contest is 12.45 pm GMT, but we will wait for official confirmation.

How do the Super 8s function? Now that we are just a few days away from the next round, with the Super Eights kicking off from Saturday, 21st February, 2026, let's try and understand how that stage will function. As we have known by now. the top two teams from four groups in the league stage will qualify for the next round. There, two further groups will be made - X and Y. Group X will contain one team each from the four groups in the league stage, while Group Y will consist of the other qualifying team. How do we decide who goes where? It is pre-decided as per the ICC team rankings. X - Ind, Aus, WI, SA | Y - Eng, NZ, Pak, SL. If any of the above-mentioned teams don't qualify, just as could happen with Australia, then the team which qualifies will fill that spot. For instance, assuming Zimbabwe qualify, they will replace Australia in Group X. The teams in each group will play only with others in their group, meaning each side will have 3 matches in the Super 8s. Eventually, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semis.

Time lost, overs lost? Not yet. There are floodlights available for usage and hence, like we have in evening matches, there will be a buffer of an extra hour. Which means, till 10.30 am GMT, we will not lose overs. After that, we will start losing an over every 4 minutes. Of course, it also depends on the ground conditions. The groundstaff will be given a deadline by which they need to get the ground fit and ready for play. If they are not able to, then the umpires might call the game off well in advance. Also, both the captains will be asked whether they would mind playing on this surface. Gamesmanship or not, call it what you want. With a Super 8 spot on the line, why would someone in Sikandar Raza's place want to even play and risk an injury?

Any more surprises left? Well, you can stop pinching yourself. Zimbabwe have got nearly one-and-a-half feet into the Super 8. So let's put aside Group B for now. What about Group A? Which will be the second team to qualify? On paper, clearly, Pakistan. But then, that paper also mentioned that Australia would beat Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman in the league stage. So let's chuck that paper away. There are two games left in Group A - Pakistan meeting Namibia in Colombo and then India taking on Netherlands in Ahmedabad. Now, just if, just if, Namibia bring out their best game of the competition and beat Pakistan, it will mean that USA will qualify for the Super Eights with a probability percentage of nearly 99. The remaining 1 percent is only if Netherlands beat India so badly, that the Dutch leapfrog the States and Pakistan and finish second. Of course, if the Pakistan match is washed out in Colombo, then they go through.

Focused on controlling the controllables - Josh Little catches up for a quick interview. The Irish pacer says it was nice to get an opportunity in the last game after missing the first two games. He states that having a clear role feels good and adds that securing an emphatic win and delivering a complete performance coming into today is pleasing. Mentions that the team is looking to go one step further today. Speaking about Zimbabwe, he says they play them quite often, obviously either in Zimbabwe or Ireland, not these conditions, and there is a bit of confidence going into the game because Ireland have a decent record against them. However, Little adds that they prefer to approach each match on its own merit, especially since it is a World Cup and very different in nature. States that one never knows what can happen on a given day. On Ireland's chances of qualification, he replies that their focus is on controlling the controllables, trying to win today, and leaving the rest up to God. Little also shares that during his stint at the IPL, he brought a camera with him, took a few photographs, and found that they turned out quite well. He shares that he enjoys photography and feels fortunate that his job takes him to different places. Adds that he has captured some nice portraits in Colombo, along with some street photography.

9.25 am GMT - Rain stops - It seems like the rain has stopped for now. The groundstaff has quickly sprung into action. That is one thing you have got to give to the groundstaff. Not just in Galle, but the whole of Sri Lanka. They keep the whole ground covered and as soon as the rain stops, quickly get into action to dry the ground. The only issue right now is that it is still heavily overcast, so drying will take time. In all likelihood, we will have a shortened game, if we have one.

Heavens hold the key - It is too early to mention a washout. We all want that to just get out of the equation, truly. But if such is the case and the rain doesn't relent, Zimbabwe will walk away with one point, making it 5 and handing them that Super Eight spot. As of now, Australia and Ireland can get a maximum of 4 points, and their journey will come to an end in case of a washout. So, as Mitchell Marsh mentioned in the post-match of Australia's previous game, not only they, but Ireland are also in the lap of God now.

The covers are on - Booooooooooo... It is raining in Pallekele. And the TOSS HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY DELAYED. Live visuals show the entire ground is under the blue sheets. We can also see both the captains - Sikandar Raza and Lorcan Tucker - having a chat with the match officials. Tucker seems relaxed, chewing his nails, while Raza is all focus and intent. The stakes are high, especially for Zimbabwe, who are on the verge of something special. Just in case you are wondering why is Lorcan Tucker mentioned as the captain, the original skipper Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the tournament, after damaging a ligament in his right knee while fielding against Australia.

Only two spots left - The fight for Super Eights has further narrowed down as NEW ZEALAND HAVE BEATEN CANADA in Chennai to book their spot. They become the sixth team to advance to the next stage. They chased down the target of 174 with absolute comfort, having eight wickets in the bank and 29 balls to spare. An unbeaten swashbuckling 146-run partnership between Glenn Phillips (76 off 36 balls) and Rachin Ravindra (59 off 39 balls) just blew away Canada. So this is how it looks for the Super Eights - India from Group A, Sri Lanka from Group B, West Indies and England from Group C, and South Africa and New Zealand from Group D are the teams to make it through.

What about the pitch and weather? Pallekele has been a far better place for the batters. In two games played here so far, we have seen big scores, with Sri Lanka scoring a mammoth 225 in the morning game against Oman. Last evening, too, it was a high-scoring yet another one-sided clash at this venue between Sri Lanka and Australia. But this is the subcontinent, and you can never really escape spin. No matter how friendly the pitch looks for batting, there's always that threat lurking, especially as the match progresses and the surface wears. There's one more thing to keep an eye on though. The forecast for Pallekele isn't entirely clear. Thunderstorms and rain are predicted during match hours, and that's the last thing this tournament needs right now. Hopefully, the weather gods will cooperate and we get to see this crucial clash play out in full.

Three-way fight - If Ireland win, they move up to third and keep their qualification hopes alive, but it will come with conditions applied. Edging past Zimbabwe might not be quite enough, as they will aim to win convincingly and boost that net run rate to be on the safer side. And here's where it gets interesting. A loss today doesn't knock Zimbabwe out completely because they have one more match against Sri Lanka coming up, on 19th February. But then, that final game becomes a must-win for them against a tough opposition. And if Zimbabwe win the match, it's game over for both Australia and Ireland. No ifs, no buts, no complicated calculations. Zimbabwe move forward, and the other two head home. Simple as that. So, to put it simply, whatever the result of this game is, it will have direct implications on Australia's chances as well.

A million-dollar clash - The road to the Super Eights in Group B doesn't just pass through Pallekele, it bottlenecks right here. Yesterday, Sri Lanka sealed their spot in the next stage with a stunning run chase against Australia, and in doing so, they cracked the door wide open for everyone else. Welcome to our coverage of match number 32 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026. Second-placed Zimbabwe take on fourth-placed Ireland, and this is where Group B's fate gets decided.

... MATCH DAY ...

Low noise but high stakes - The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2026, is fast approaching the climax of the group stage, and the race for Super 8 is only going to get intense from here on. Pallekele gets ready once again for a very important game in Group B as Ireland take on Zimbabwe in an afternoon game. Both teams have winning momentum with them as Ireland, finally, after two big losses, opened their account last time around, while the Chevrons are on a completely different trajectory, winning two in two. Order nowhere in sight - Group B has turned into a beautifully unpredictable mess. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are setting the pace, while Australia are stuck in a position they rarely find themselves in, searching for a way back. Ireland, though dangling precariously, still possess mathematical possibilities for a top two finish. Several factors need to fall into place, certainly, but this sport loves serving up shocking twists. Chevrons stay dialled in - Zimbabwe may not always go the distance in tournaments or dominate bilateral series, but they have a knack for producing moments that stick in the ICC events. Every so often, they rise, catch bigger sides off guard, and carve out results that live on. The win over Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup was one such statement. And now, toppling the mighty Australians again, echoing 2007 and reliving it in 2026, adds another chapter to their growing collection of unforgettable cricketing memories. The engine room is humming fine - Be it bowling or batting, Zimbabwe have shown good composure across departments so far, but it is important to keep that momentum going. Bowling-wise, they have been near clinical in both matches. More importantly, bowling both their opponents out. At the heart of it, Blessing Muzarabani towers literally and figuratively as Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker with seven scalps. Brad Evans follows closely with a couple of three-fors, while Richard Ngarava chips in reliably. The pace attack has looked sharp, well-oiled, and ready to do the heavy lifting. On the batting front, Brian Bennett has been the steady heartbeat, opening with a composed 48 against Oman before delivering a quality 64 against Australia. Experienced campaigners Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza have displayed stability, ensuring Zimbabwe’s innings rarely falter. Remarkably, they have lost just four wickets across two matches, a clear sign of balance and momentum.  Walking a tight rope - Despite a thumping 96-run win against Oman, the Irishmen know that the margin for error is next to zero now as they gear up for their last league match. They have lost two, and both comprehensively while chasing. A win here is a non-negotiable, as a defeat will see them take the exit door. Ireland’s success largely came through Lorcan Tucker’s fine and a selfless 94 off just 51 balls, and the crucial middle and lower order contributions have saved them from bigger embarrassment. That top order, though, has been a constant headache, collapsing too often inside the Powerplay and forcing Ireland to fight from the edge every single game. They have lost eight wickets inside the Powerplay across three matches and leaving the team’s starts far from stable. Two stalwarts ruled out - Both Zimbabwe and Ireland will enter the field without two of their most prolific batters. Ireland will be without Paul Stirling as he is ruled out, after suffering ligament damage in his right knee. Whereas Brendan Taylor won’t be a part of the World Cup due to a serious hamstring injury. Both veterans had missed their previous games already, but their absence surely creates a void in experience. Team form (Last 5 T20Is, recent first) ZIMBABWE - WWLWL | IRELAND - WLLWW. Stat attack - 1. These two teams have met 18 times in T20Is, and the rivalry is perfectly balanced with 8 wins apiece. Their T20 World Cup encounters are also level at 1-1, including the 2022 clash in Hobart, where Ireland fell to Zimbabwe. 2. Since Stirling is ruled out, Lorcan Tucker is Ireland’s leading run scorer in this current squad in the T20 World Cups, whereas for Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza holds that record. 3. Mark Adair has been Ireland’s most effective bowler against Zimbabwe in T20Is, taking 24 wickets at an average of 13.12, while Richard Ngarava leads the way for Zimbabwe with 15 wickets against Ireland. 4. Ireland have lost 16 wickets to spin in this World Cup, which underlines their vulnerabilities. Blessing Muzarabani holds the best economy rate for Zimbabwe in this edition, reading 4.13, in two matches. 5. Zimbabwe’s highest inning score in the T20 World Cups has come against Ireland when they scored 174/7 in 2022.