Zimbabwe’s remarkable resurgence in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup gathered pace on Tuesday as rain in Kandy sealed their place in the Super 8s, a far cry from the heartbreak of missing out on the 2024 edition after a shock defeat to Uganda. Zimbabwe’s entry into the Super 8s also meant that former champions Australia were knocked out prematurely from the marquee tournament.
The Group B clash between Zimbabwe and Ireland was abandoned without a ball being bowled at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, handing both sides a point each. That solitary point was enough to send Zimbabwe into the Super 8s for the first time, while confirming the elimination of 2021 champions Australia.
Ireland needed a win to keep Australia’s slim hopes alive. Instead, the washout ensured Sikandar Raza’s men progressed with five points from three matches, leaving Australia stranded on two, with no mathematical chance of catching up even if they beat Oman in their final fixture.
The turnaround has been dramatic. Having failed to qualify for the 2024 tournament, Zimbabwe have flipped the script in 2026. A stunning 23-run win over Australia pushed them into pole position, after they had opened their campaign with a commanding eight-wicket victory against Oman. They will now face co-hosts Sri Lanka in their final group game.
By advancing, Zimbabwe also secured automatic qualification for the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, another milestone in their revival.
Zimbabwe to take on India in Super 8s on Feb 26
The ICC’s pre-determined Super 8s seedings place Zimbabwe in a potential group of death in the Super 8 stage, in Group G1 alongside India, South Africa and West Indies, setting up a high-profile clash against India at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 26. Group G2 features Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand and either Pakistan or the USA, with matches scheduled in Colombo and Pallekele.
“As much as we have achieved, it is just a tick in the box and not the whole box. There will be a small celebration, but we will then focus on the next game. It is just a small tick in what we have set out to achieve,” Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said.
“Myself and the coach, we will sit down, we have the data on them (Sri Lanka), and we will try to win that game. Qualifying has not changed our ultimate goal.
“Everyone loves an underdog story. Every condition we find ourselves in, if we get a day or two to train, we try and learn those conditions. We train, try and assess those conditions. We train, try and assess the conditions, see the previous games (at that venue), and try to put together a good game of cricket,” he added.
Meanwhile, before their Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26, defending champions India will first face 2024 runners-up South Africa in Ahmedabad on February 22. They will then square off against two-time champions West Indies in Kolkata on March 1.