In a dramatic turn of events at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 17, 2026, the rain officially stopped. Australia and Ireland from T20 World Cup 2026. Continuous showers throughout the day It meant a critical clash between Group B Zimbabwe and Ireland were left without a ball being bowled.
The haul earned Zimbabwe the one point they needed to move to just 5 points, a tally that Australia, currently sitting on 2 points with just one game remaining, cannot match. This hard-fought result on the day’s events concluded Group B, confirming Zimbabwe’s historic progress alongside the hosts. Sri Lankaand contemplating the earliest exit from the tournament in nearly two decades, leaving the 2021 champions.
Hopes dashed by rain in Pallekele: Australia’s second group stage exit in T20 World Cup history
Australia’s campaign, already teetering on the brink after shock defeats against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, officially met its demise with the Pallekele rain. There is only one match left against Oman on February 20. Mitchell Marsh‘s team can now reach a maximum of 4 points, leaving them behind Zimbabwe’s 5 points and Sri Lanka’s 6 points.
This is only the second time in the history of the T20 World Cup that the men from the bottom have failed to make it past the opening round, which was previously seen only in 2009. The team’s inability to adapt was exacerbated by a brutal ‘groin crisis’ which sidelined captain Marsh for the first two games. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Even Marsh’s brave comeback against Sri Lanka, where he smashed 54, was not enough to overcome his record-breaking century. Pathum NissankaIt left Australia dependent on an Irish miracle that never came.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Who would have thought on February 7 that England would be one step away from losing to Nepal, Pakistan would potentially be out of the tournament, India would have a huge scare against the USA and Australia would lose early.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 17, 2026
Team Zimbabwe qualified for the Super8🔥
The Australian team is out of the group stage 😂#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/xI6MSUPG5f— Karthi (@vvskarthii) February 17, 2026
he went
Zimbabwe to Super 8🇿🇿🇼🇼🇿🇼The match is stopped, thanks to Mbuya Nehanda’s interference we go to Super 8😭😭😭. You see the importance of having this mvura ngainaye part in our national anthem, Australia needs to pack their bags for the airport ASAP.
— Gift Chisiiwa (@Chisiiwagift) February 17, 2026
Australia is out of the tournament. Not even in my wildest dreams did I think of that as a possibility.#T20WorldCup
— Cricketologist (@AMP86793444) February 17, 2026
Australia have now failed to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 3 times in a row since winning the title in 2021 ☠️#T20WorldCup
— SPORTY HIRESH (@SportyHiresh) February 17, 2026
Rain wins in Pallekele and Zimbabwe become the 7th team to book a ticket to Super 8. This means the end of the road for both Australia and Ireland
— The CricTalks (@TheCricTalk_) February 17, 2026
Rain washed away Australia’s World Cup hopes. Such an early exit is almost unprecedented in their history. Zimbabwe qualify for Super 8.#T20WorldCup #WorldCup2026 @aliyaaaliya @cricketcomau pic.twitter.com/x9HhPA387w
— Rana Ahmed Shaheed (@RAhmadshaheed) February 17, 2026
Even the rain gods want Zimbabwe in the Super 8s to make it happen. The game was washed out and eliminated Ireland along with the mighty Aussies! Well deserved for Zimbabwe! They did better than Australia this time! #ZimvsIre #T20WorldCup
— Rishyan RG (@RishyanRG) February 17, 2026
It’s fair to say Australia are out of the tournament and relegated because technically they’re already there –
Down Down.— 𝐴𝐩𝑶𝑶𝑖𝑖𝑖 February 17, 2026
🚨 MATCH ABANDONED 🚨
Ireland – Zimbabwe match postponed due to rain 🌧🌧
– Zimbabwe has already advanced to the Super Eight. Australia and Ireland are out 🏏#IRAVZIM #ZimbabweCricket #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/4umAPTyVxJ
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 17, 2026
T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage roadmap: Groups and high-stakes spots confirmed
With Zimbabwe securing their seventh spot in the Super 8, the second leg of the tournament is almost complete with a split between the two host nations. Zimbabwe’s qualification places them in Group G1, where they will travel to India to face the tournament favourites. India, South Africa and West India.
The matches for this group are scheduled to be held at popular venues including Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai where spin is expected to play a decisive role.
At the same time, the G2 group will be based in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand and the winner of the last tie from Group A (Pakistan or USA). These teams will battle it out at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy as the tournament moves from the unpredictability of the group stage to the high pressure of the Super 8 qualifiers starting February 21.
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