T20 World Cup: Rain ends Ireland and Australia’s hopes of making Super 8s after Irish Group B match vs Zimbabwe washed out

Ireland and Australia have both been eliminated from the T20 World Cup as rain prevented play in the Group B game between the Irish and Zimbabwe at Pallekele Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

Zimbabwe’s shock victory over Australia left them needing just a point on Tuesday to advance to the Super 8s with the match being a must-win for Ireland to retain any hope of advancing.

Australia, who suffered an eight-wicket defeat by Sri Lanka on Monday, were also banking on a win for Ireland to remain in the hunt for the next phase.

But with the rain unrelenting in Kandy the match was abandoned with both Ireland and Zimbabwe taking a point apiece.

That left Zimbabwe on five points and Ireland – whose four-game campaign is complete – on three, with Australia sitting on two and just one game remaining against Oman on Friday (13:30 GMT) which is now a dead rubber.

“It’s very disappointing to go out in this fashion but it’s completely uncontrollable,” said Ireland stand-in skipper Lorcan Tucker.

“It looked like we were building momentum with the Oman win but unfortunately it came too late.

“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 – we started a bit slower than we wanted.

“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.”

Zimbabwe will take on Sri Lanka in Colombo on Thursday (09:30 GMT) with the winner topping Group B, but they are both guaranteed a place in the next phase of the tournament.