Australia Exit T20 World Cup as Zimbabwe Advance After Rain-Interrupted Match

PALLEKELE: Former champions Australia were eliminated from the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka after their match against Ireland was abandoned due to persistent rain at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

The washout awarded Zimbabwe one point, moving them to five points and second in Group B, just behind leaders Sri Lanka, who secured their Super Eight place by defeating Australia by eight wickets on Monday.

Zimbabwe had previously stunned the 2021 champions Australia by 23 runs last week, echoing their victory over Australia in the inaugural edition of the tournament 19 years ago and putting the defending champions in a precarious position.

The toss for the Ireland-Zimbabwe game, scheduled for 14:30 local time, was delayed with covers still on the field, and officials later ruled after three hours that no play would be possible.

The Group B standings now see Sri Lanka on six points, Zimbabwe five, Ireland three (having completed all their games), Australia two, and Oman zero. Australia’s final match of the tournament will be against Oman.

Australia won the 2021 T20 World Cup, defeating New Zealand by eight wickets in the final.

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