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Rain Delays Zimbabwe vs Ireland T20 World Cup Toss in Pallekele

The toss for the crucial T20 World Cup Group B match between Zimbabwe and Ireland in Pallekele has been delayed due to persistent rain. Zimbabwe enters the match with strong momentum after a stunning victory over former champions Australia. A win or even a washout in this match would secure Zimbabwe's place in the Super Eights and result in the shocking elimination of the 2021 champions, Australia. The Australian team now desperately needs Ireland to defeat Zimbabwe to keep their own slim qualification hopes alive.

Key Points: T20 WC: Rain Delays Zimbabwe vs Ireland Toss, Threatens Australia

  • Toss delayed due to rain in Pallekele
  • Zimbabwe can qualify with win or washout
  • Australia faces humiliating elimination
  • Zimbabwe stunned Australia in earlier match
  • Ireland must win to keep Australia's hopes alive
2 min read

T20 WC: Rain delays Zimbabwe vs Ireland toss in Pallekelle

Rain delays the crucial Group B T20 World Cup clash between Zimbabwe and Ireland. A Zimbabwe win or washout would eliminate champions Australia.

"Conditions are not great. It has been raining much of the day, and the covers are on. - Cricket Ireland"

Pallekele, Feb 17

The toss for the Group B clash between Zimbabwe and Ireland here at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has been delayed because of rain. The ground is under covers, as it is still drizzling.

"We're in Kandy for our match against Zimbabwe at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Conditions are not great. It has been raining much of the day, and the covers are on. We'll update as soon as we have any news," Cricket Ireland shared on X.

After a stunning win over former champions Australia, Zimbabwe will look to continue the momentum against a tricky Ireland side and seal their berth in the Super 8s berth in Pallekele on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe scripted the biggest upset of the tournament so far as they defeated former champions Australia by 23 runs. They have won their first two matches and are second on the Group B points table, just below co-hosts Sri Lanka, who defeated Australia by eight wickets to seal their place in the Super Eights.

However, a win by any margin for Zimbabwe or a washout will be enough for Zimbabwe to progress to the Super Eights, which will result in the humiliating elimination of 2021 champions Australia.

After a 23-run defeat to Zimbabwe, Australia crashed to an eight-wicket loss to co-hosts Sri Lanka on Monday to be pushed to the brink of a humiliating exit.

Mitch Marsh-led side will now be praying that Ireland can beat Zimbabwe to keep their slim chances of progressing alive. And if that eventuates, there is still a lot of work to do, starting with needing a strong, NRR-boosting win over Oman and hoping Sri Lanka beats Zimbabwe well. Then it would come down to NRR.

Squads:

Ireland Squad: 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 Squad: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (w), 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

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The pressure on Ireland is immense. Everyone is watching them to see if they can save Australia. That's not an easy position to be in. Hope we get a full game, it's always exciting to see an associate nation perform well.
P
Priyanka N
Rain delays are so frustrating for the players and fans. Zimbabwe has been the story of this group stage. Sikandar Raza is leading them so well. From an Indian perspective, a Zimbabwe win makes our potential Super 8s group more interesting!
R
Rahul R
Honestly, the ICC needs to look at better scheduling or venues for a global tournament. It's not fair on teams like Zimbabwe who have fought so hard, only for rain to potentially decide their fate. A washout helps them, but it's not a satisfying way to qualify.
A
Aman W
Come on Ireland! Do it for the underdogs everywhere! But seriously, what a turnaround for Zimbabwe. Beating Australia was no fluke. Their bowling attack looks sharp. Hope the rain stops and we get a proper game of cricket. 🤞
K
Kavya N
The Aussies must be biting their nails right now! 😂 After all the big talk, they're depending on the weather and another team. Karma? Zimbabwe just needs to stay calm. Even a shortened game could be enough with their current form.

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