In a dramatic turn of events, the rain has officially hit the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 17, 2026 Australia And ireland out of t20 world cup 2026. It rained continuously all day This meant an important clash between Group B zimbabwe And Ireland were bowled out without a single ball being bowled.
The washout gave Zimbabwe the one point they needed to reach the total of 5 points, something Australia, currently sitting on 2 points with only one game remaining, cannot possibly match. This disappointing conclusion to the day’s events finalized Group B, confirming Zimbabwe’s historic progress with the co-hosts. Sri LankaAnd left the 2021 champions to contemplate their inaugural tournament exit in almost two decades.
Rain dashes hopes in Pallekele: Australia out of group stage for second time in T20 World Cup history
The Australian campaign, which was already on the brink after consecutive defeats against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, has officially ended in the rain in Pallekele. Only one match is left against Oman on 20 February. Michelle MarshThe team can now reach only a maximum of 4 points, which will leave them behind Zimbabwe’s 5 points and Sri Lanka’s 6 points.
This is only the second time in T20 World Cup history that lower-tier players have failed to progress beyond the preliminary round, a feat previously seen only in 2009. The team’s failure to adapt was compounded by a brutal ‘groin crisis’ which ruled captain Marsh out for the opening two matches and a string of late injuries to their key pace attack. pat cummins And Josh Hazlewood. Even Marsh’s brilliant comeback against Sri Lanka, where he scored a quickfire 54, was not enough to overtake the record-breaking century. Pathum NissankaLeft Australia dependent on an Irish miracle that never came.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Who would have thought on February 7 that England would be one step away from losing to Nepal, Pakistan would be one step away from being eliminated from the tournament, India would suffer a huge blow against the United States and Australia would be out early.
– Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 17 February 2026
Zimbabwe team qualified for Super8🔥
Australia team out of group stage#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/xI6MSUPG5f– Karthi (@vvskarthii) 17 February 2026
Zwaendwa
Zimbabwe reaches Super 8🇿🇼🇿🇼🇿🇼Match abandoned, we go to Super 8, thanks to the intervention of Mbuya Nehanda. You see the importance of that mvura ngane part in our national anthem, Australia should pack their bags for the airport asap
– Gift Chisiiwa (@Chisiiwagift) 17 February 2026
Australia is out of the tournament. I had never thought about it even in my dreams.#T20WorldCup
– Cricketologist (@AMP86793444) 17 February 2026
Since winning the title in 2021, Australia has now been eliminated from the T20 World Cup three times in a row without reaching the semi-finals ☠️#T20WorldCup
– Sporty Hiresh (@SportyHiresh) 17 February 2026
Raines won in Pallekele and Zimbabwe became the 7th team to get a ticket to the Super 8. This also means it’s the end of the road for both Australia and Ireland
– CricTalk (@TheCricTalk_) 17 February 2026
Rain has dashed Australia’s World Cup hopes. Such an early exit is almost unprecedented in their history. Zimbabwe qualified for the Super 8.#T20WorldCup #worldcup2026 @aliyaaliya @cricketcomau pic.twitter.com/x9HhPA387w
– Rana Ahmed Shaheed (@RAhmadshaheed) 17 February 2026
Even the rain gods want Zimbabwe in the Super 8 so they have done it. The game is ruined and the mighty Australian team as well as Ireland are eliminated! Well deserved for Zimbabwe! They have been better than Australia this time! #ZimvsIre #T20WorldCup
– Rishyan RG (@RishyanRG) 17 February 2026
It’s safe to say that Australia are out of the tournament and going down because technically they are already there –
down Under.– 𝘼𝙨𝖝𝝝-𝗐𝖇𝖝𝖥𝖅𝖅-&-𝙚𝙨 (@ashhanuferns) 17 February 2026
🚨Match Canceled🚨
The match between Ireland vs Zimbabwe has been abandoned due to rain
– Zimbabwe has now reached the Super Eight. Australia and Ireland are out 🏏#IREvZIM #ZimbabweCricket #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/4umAPTyVxJ
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 17 February 2026
T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage roadmap: Groups and high-risk venues confirmed
With Zimbabwe getting their seventh Super 8 ticket, the second stage of the tournament is now almost finalized, with a split between the two host nations. Zimbabwe’s qualification places them in Group G1, where they will travel to India to compete against tournament favorites India, South Africa and this west indies.
The matches in this group are scheduled to be held at prestigious venues including the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where spin is expected to play a decisive role.
Meanwhile, Group G2 will remain focused on Sri Lanka, comprising Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand and the winner of the last undefeated place from Group A (Pakistan or America). These teams are from Colombo’s R. They will compete at the Premadasa Stadium and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy as the tournament shifts from the unpredictability of the group stage to the high-stakes pressure of the Super 8 Qualifiers starting on February 21.
Also read: Top 5 youngest century scorers in T20 World Cup history ft Yuvraj Samra