Online Reporter
Good day! Today, we are following events taking place at Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka, where Zimbabwe is taking on Ireland in a decisive Super 8 qualifying clash at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Kick-off: 11:30 local time.
With one match still to play, Zimbabwe has the chance to lock up a Super 8 spot with a win today. The two sides have met 18 times in T20s previously — each has won eight matches, while two encounters ended in a draw or without a result.
Stay with us as we bring ball-by-ball updates from Pallekelle.
Toss has been delayed
It’s raining in Sri-Lanka and the toss has been delayed.
A washout, for those wondering, will see Zimbabwe go through.
Zimbabwe (probable XI):
1 Brian Bennett; 2 Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk); 3 Dion Myers; 4 Sikandar Raza (c); 5 Ryan Burl; 6 Tashinga Musekiwa; 7 Brad Evans; 8 Wellington Masakadza; 9 Graeme Cremer; 10 Blessing Muzarabani; 11 Richard Ngarava.
Ireland (probable XI):
1 Tim Tector, 2 Ross Adair, 3 Harry Tector, 4 Lorcan Tucker (capt & wk), 5 Curtis Campher, 6 George Dockrell, 7 Gareth Delany, 8 Mark Adair, 9 Josh Little 10 Barry McCarthy, 11 Matthew Humphreys
Covers now being removed
Two hours after the scheduled time for Zimbabwe vs Ireland, the covers are now being taken off at
Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium where Zimbabwe is taking on Ireland.
Zimbabwe is looking for a win to book a place in the Super 8.
With Zimbabwe being comfortable with the match being washed away, Ireland wants the match to go ahead as it gives them a chance to progress to the next stage.
If the match is washed away, the two teams will get a point each, which will see Zimbabwe securing a Super 8 spot.
Covers back on as rain returns
The ground staff are bringing back the covers as rain has returned at Pallekelle International Cricket
Stadium where Zimbabwe are taking on Ireland
Overs will start being subtracted from 12:45pm
How has Zimbabwe perfomed so far?
Reaching the Super Eight would represent a landmark achievement for Zimbabwe, which have never advanced beyond the initial stage in their previous seven attempts.
This time, however, the path has opened up. Australia’s defeat to Sri Lanka has tilted the equation in Zimbabwe’s favour — a victory in their final group fixture would be enough to secure qualification and eliminate Mitchell Marsh’s side from contention.
Zimbabwe have already built a reputation as the tournament’s disruptors. Their statement win over Australia showcased both authority and composure: posting an imposing 169 for 2 before restricting the opposition to 146 to seal a memorable 23-run triumph.
Another clinical display would not only confirm progression but also reinforce their status as the underdogs.
Match start losing overs
The Ireland vs Zimbabwe match has started to lose overs due to rain delay.
The covers had started coming off at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, but rain returned,
thereby causing more delay for the toss in the crucial T20 World Cup Group B clash.
The cut-off time for a 5-over game is 6:10pm IST, which will be around 3:20pm local time.
If the game is washed out, it will be very bad news for Australia, who are in a tricky spot after losing two of their Group B games.
Zimbabwe through to Super 8
The Ireland vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup Group B clash in Sri Lanka has been called off due to the rain.
Zimbabwe is through to the Super 8.
