Ground staff are working to remove excess water from the field, but conditions remain challenging, and any game that does take place is likely to be heavily shortened.
Covers remain on the pitch as the toss is delayed due to rain ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Group B match between Ireland and Zimbabwe at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. (Photo: IANS/Biplab Banerjee)
The 32nd match of Group B between Ireland and Zimbabwe at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has been delayed due to persistent rain, with the toss yet to take place.
Ground staff are working to remove excess water from the field, but conditions remain challenging, and any game that does take place is likely to be heavily shortened.
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According to ICC tournament regulations, if weather prevents a minimum of five overs per side from being completed by the cut-off time of approximately 6:15 PM local time, the match will be declared a no result, and both teams will share a point each.
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In that scenario, Zimbabwe would move to 5 points, while Ireland would finish with 3 points. This would confirm Zimbabwe’s qualification for the Super 8s, while Australia, with only one group match remaining and a maximum possible 4 points, would be eliminated before even playing their final game against Oman.
Zimbabwe enters the contest on the back of a stunning 23-run victory over former champions Australia, the biggest upset of the tournament so far. A win or a washout against Ireland will guarantee them a spot in the next stage, while Ireland must win convincingly to remain in contention through Net Run Rate (NRR).
Ireland captain Paul Stirling has been ruled out due to a calf injury, with Lorcan Tucker taking over captaincy duties for the match.
Ireland: Tim Tector, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (c), Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Joshua Little, Craig Young, Benjamin White, Benjamin Calitz, Sam Topping
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Ben Curran, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa
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