Australia and Ireland have been knocked out T20 World Cup after a pivotal match between Zimbabwe and Ireland was called off due to heavy rain.
The 2021 champions Australia needed Ireland to beat Zimbabwe today to keep their hopes of progression alive, but their elimination was confirmed as the match was called off due to heavy rain without a ball being bowled.
The abandonment leaves Zimbabwe’s lead atop the group insurmountable, condemning Ireland to an early flight home. Their already slim chances of reaching the Super 8 were hanging by a thread ahead of the Zimbabwe match.
They needed to beat Zimbabwe and hope for Oman to upset Australia in order to move on, but their chances of moving on were washed away in the torrential Kandy rain.
Australia, meanwhile, must face already-eliminated Oman in a dead-rubber fixture on Friday before boarding a flight home.
The result compounds a hugely disappointing campaign for Australia, who were counted among the favourites ahead of the tournament.
They have underperformed considerably, though, and will exit the tournament with a whimper after a heavy defeat by Sri Lanka and a shock upset at the hands of Zimbabwe. Their only win came against Ireland, by 67 runs.
Zimbabwe will now go toe-to-toe with tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka in Colombo on Thursday in a shootout for top spot in Group B.
Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker said: "It's very disappointing to go out in this fashion but it's completely uncontrollable.
"I think when we look back there were moments, especially in the first game against Sri Lanka, which we didn't get quite right. It just wasn't to be.
"Our group gained great experience from the tournament, for many it was their first World Cup. It's really competitive and shows the pressure elite cricketers are under.
"Those big moments, it's how you deal with them and process them. We hope to have big moments in the next couple of years and prepare well for the next tournament."
