The ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 has been hit by two fresh injury setbacks as both Zimbabwe and Ireland have lost their senior players midway through the tournament in India and Sri Lanka.
Brendon Taylor ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026 after hamstring injury
Zimbabwe’s senior wicketkeeper-batsman Brendan Taylor has been ruled out of the remaining matches due to a hamstring injury. The 40-year-old was injured during Zimbabwe’s opening match against Oman. He was batting on 31 runs off 30 balls when he felt pain and had to retire hurt.
Before the setback, Taylor had taken three catches behind the stumps. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza confirmed the shock in Colombo. However, Zimbabwe has not yet announced a replacement for Taylor despite having two group games left in the T20 World Cup 2026.
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Tadivanashe Marumani will now handle the wicket-keeping duties, while all-rounder Tony Munyonga has been included in the playing eleven for the crucial group match against Australia in Colombo.
Brendan Taylor’s dramatic comeback in Zimbabwe
Brendon Taylor returned to international cricket in July 2025 after serving a three-and-a-half-year suspension due to his involvement in the ICC corruption scandal. After his ban ended on 25 July, Zimbabwe immediately brought the senior star back into the national setup across all formats.
Since his return, Taylor has played two Test matches, two ODIs and 14 T20Is for Zimbabwe. His biggest highlight came during a T20 World Cup qualifying match in September 2025, where he scored a brilliant 123 against Botswana.
Ireland captain Paul Stirling is out of T20 World Cup 2026
On the other hand, Ireland captain Paul Stirling has suffered ligament damage in his right knee and will miss the remaining matches of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. He first injured his knee while taking a catch during Ireland’s 67-run loss to Australia in their group match on 11 February.
Later in the same match, the Ireland captain’s injury became worse while running in to take a quick single. The T20 World Cup Technical Committee has approved young batsman Sam Topping as Sterling’s replacement for the rest of the tournament in India and Sri Lanka.
Here is Ireland’s updated squad:
Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Callitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delaney, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphries, Josh Little, Lorcan Tucker, Sam Topping, Ben White, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Craig Young
to be continued…
