T20 World Cup Schedule: Australia Eliminated, Super 8 Race Heats Up
NEW DELHI: A dramatic turn of events at the T20 World Cup saw Australia’s campaign come to an unexpected end on Tuesday. The washout of the Group B fixture between Zimbabwe and Ireland in Pallekele, without a single ball bowled, proved decisive. The shared point propelled Zimbabwe into the second stage of the tournament – the Super 8 – for the first time in their history, while the 2021 champions were eliminated.
Seven Teams Secure Super 8 Spots
Currently, seven teams have confirmed their place in the next round. Zimbabwe joins Group 1 alongside defending champions India, the West Indies, and South Africa. Group 2 will feature Sri Lanka, England, and New Zealand, with either Pakistan or the USA poised to complete the lineup. The competition is fierce, and every match carries significant weight.
Pakistan’s Super 8 Hopes Hang in the Balance
Pakistan faces a crucial must-win clash against Namibia on Wednesday. While Namibia is already out of contention, a defeat for Pakistan would be catastrophic, potentially finishing below the USA in the standings and missing out on Super 8 qualification. A washout between Pakistan and Namibia would see both teams share a point, likely securing Pakistan’s second place in Group A and advancement.
USA’s Qualification: A Complex Scenario
Even a Pakistan defeat doesn’t guarantee USA’s progression. Their fate could rest on the outcome of the India-Netherlands encounter in Ahmedabad. A stunning upset victory for the Netherlands would create a four-way tie on four points, leaving net run rate as the deciding factor between USA and the Dutch side. This adds another layer of excitement and unpredictability to the tournament.
Qualified Teams by Group
- Group A: India
- Group B: Zimbabwe
- Group C: West Indies
- Group D: South Africa, England, New Zealand
Upcoming T20 World Cup Schedule (Partial)
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 21, Saturday | New Zealand vs Y3 | 7:00 PM | Premadasa, Colombo |
| February 22, Sunday | Sri Lanka vs England | 3:00 PM | Kandy |
| February 22, Sunday | India vs South Africa | 7:00 PM | Ahmedabad |
| February 23, Monday | West Indies vs Zimbabwe | 7:00 PM | Mumbai |
| February 24, Tuesday | England vs Y3 | 7:00 PM | Kandy |
| February 25, Wednesday | Sri Lanka vs New Zealand | 7:00 PM | Premadasa, Colombo |
| February 26, Thursday | South Africa vs West Indies | 3:00 PM | Ahmedabad |
| February 26, Thursday | India vs Zimbabwe | 7:00 PM | Chennai |
For the complete and updated T20 World Cup schedule, visit the official ICC website. Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses!
Participating Nations: Nepal, Oman, Namibia, Ireland, Australia, Scotland, Italy, Afghanistan, UAE, Canada.
