Australia have been knocked out of the Twenty20 World Cup before even finishing their group stage fixtures after Zimbabwe’s match with Ireland in Sri Lanka was washed out.
With each side taking a point from the rained-off tie, Australia, on two points, can no longer catch Zimbabwe, on five, even if they win their final match against Oman on Friday (Saturday 12.30am AEDT).
Australia have been knocked out of the T20 World Cup in the group stage.Credit: AP
Regular rain in Kandy meant the covers were on the Pallekele International Stadium for much of the day before the match was finally called off two-and-a-half hours after the scheduled start.
Zimbabwe thus go through to the Super Eight stage with Sri Lanka, with Thursday’s match between the teams deciding who tops the group.
It is the first time Australia have been knocked out of a World Cup at the group stage, in either the T20 or ODI formats, since 2009. Their only victory was over Ireland, who were also eliminated by the washout.
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Seven teams have now qualified for the second round. Zimbabwe will be in Group 1 along with defending champion India, West Indies and South Africa. Sri Lanka is in Group 2 with England, New Zealand and Pakistan or USA.
Earlier, Canada batter Yuvraj Samra’s exhilarating century proved in vain as New Zealand advanced to the Super 8s with an eight-wicket win in Chennai.
New Zealand’s resounding victory knocked 2024 semi-finalist Afghanistan out of the tournament.