After a strong win against Australia, Zimbabwe heads into Tuesday’s match against Ireland with high spirits. They have a chance to reach the Super 8 round for the first time in the T20 World Cup 2026. Another victory would give Zimbabwe six points and keep their unbeaten streak in the group stage.
In contrast, Ireland comes into the match after a solid win over Oman, helping to lift their confidence following previous losses to Sri Lanka and Australia. While their advancement options are limited, Ireland aims to end their campaign on a high note and challenge Zimbabwe.
IRE vs ZIM, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details
- Date and Time: February 17 (Tuesday); 3:00 pm IST / 9:30 am GMT
- Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
IRE vs ZIM, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is
Matches played: 18 | Ireland won: 8 | Zimbabwe won: 8 | No result/Tied: 2
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
The pitch here typically benefits batters with a good surface and consistent bounce, allowing for aggressive play early on. Batters can take advantage of the conditions to score quickly in the powerplay.
However, as the game progresses, the pitch slows down, making it tougher for batters to time their shots. This is when bowlers, particularly spinners and those using variations, can become more effective. Scoring runs requires smart shot selection and patience rather than just power.
Squads
Ireland: Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (c & wk), Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Tim Tector, Joshua Little, Benjamin White, Craig Young, Sam Topping
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Ben Curran, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa
IRE vs ZIM, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Ireland wins the toss and bats first
- Ireland’s powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
- Ireland’s total score: 160-170
Case 2:
- Zimbabwe wins the toss and bats first
- Zimbabwe’s powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
- Zimbabwe’s total score: 165-175
Match result: The team batting first is likely to win.
