Australia crashes out of T20 World Cup but Zimbabwe and New Zealand advance to Super 8s

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka — Australia’s title defence ended in abrupt disappointment on Tuesday when the 2021 champions were eliminated from the T20 World Cup after Zimbabwe’s Group B fixture against Ireland was washed out without a delivery bowled at Pallekele International Stadium.

Persistent rain left the outfield unplayable, forcing officials to abandon the contest and settle both teams with a point apiece. The no-result proved fatal for Australia, whose earlier results left them reliant on an Ireland victory to keep their own Super 8 hopes alive. Instead, Zimbabwe’s shared spoils lifted them alongside New Zealand into the next phase, sealing Australia’s fate.

The premature exit marks a stunning turnaround for the Baggy Greens, who entered the tournament among the favourites only to be undone by weather and net-run-rate arithmetic. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, celebrate an unexpected progression, while New Zealand also confirmed their berth in the knockout rounds.