Ireland will compete against Zimbabwe in their final match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, February 17. Following a surprising win over Australia, Zimbabwe needs to win this match to advance to the Super Eight. Meanwhile, Ireland aims to finish their tournament on a high note.
Ireland
After facing defeats against Sri Lanka and Australia, Ireland secured a significant victory against Oman, winning by 96 runs. They currently hold fourth place in the table with one win and two losses in three matches. Batting first against Oman, Ireland scored 235 runs, while Oman could only manage 139 runs. Captain Lorcan Tucker was instrumental, scoring an unbeaten 94 runs off 51 balls. Gareth Delany also contributed with a quick 56 runs from 30 balls. In bowling, Joshua Little excelled, taking three wickets in four overs.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe began their tournament strongly, defeating Oman by 8 wickets in their opening match. They then continued this momentum with a remarkable 23-run victory over Australia. This marks their second win against Australia in T20 World Cup history. On a challenging batting surface, Zimbabwe scored 169 runs with Brian Bennett top-scoring at 64 runs from 56 balls. Ryan Burl and T Marumani each added 35 runs, and Sikandar Raza contributed 25 runs off 13 balls. Zimbabwe’s bowlers were effective, dismissing Australia for 146 runs, with Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans combining to take seven wickets. A win in this match would secure their spot in the Super Eight.
IRE vs ZIM Match Details
| IRE vs ZIM T20I WC Match Details | |
| Match | Ireland vs Zimbabwe 32nd T20I Match |
| Date and Time | Tuesday, February 17; 3:00 p.m. IST |
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium |
| Broadcasting and live streaming | TV-Star Sports Network, Live Stream-JioHotstar |
IRE vs ZIM T20 WC Pitch Report
The pitch at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is generally balanced, offering good support to both pace bowlers and batters. Early in the innings, batters can take advantage of the pitch’s hardness, particularly with the new ball. However, as the match progresses, the surface may slow down, making batting easier. Additionally, conditions can become challenging for batters batting in the second innings. The average first innings score at this venue is around 175.
IRE vs ZIM T20 WC Weather Report
The weather in Pallekele is expected to be partially cloudy and humid during the early hours of the match, with a 10% chance of rain. The conditions will likely be warm due to the tropical climate, with humidity levels around 55-60%. The maximum temperature is forecasted to be between 25-30 °C.
IRE vs ZIM Head-to-Head Records
| IRE vs ZIM head-to-head (in T20s) | |
| Matches Played | 18 |
| Won by Ireland | 8 |
| Won by Zimbabwe | 8 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 2 |
IRE vs ZIM Probable XI
- Ireland: Tim Tecto, Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker (c/wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Josh Little, Mathew Humphreys.
- Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, T Marumani (wk), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Graeme Cremer.
Players To Watch Out For in the IRE vs ZIM Match
- Lorcan Tucker | IRE: Lorcan Tucker has been Ireland’s standout performer in the tournament, scoring 139 runs in three matches with an average of 69.5. His unbeaten 94 runs against Oman make him a key player to watch.
- Brian Bennett | ZIM: Brian Bennett is a crucial batter for Zimbabwe, showing excellent form with scores of 48 and 64 in recent matches. His shot variety adds depth to the batting lineup.
- Blessing Muzarabani | ZIM: Blessing Muzarabani has been a leading bowler for Zimbabwe, taking 7 wickets in two matches, including a four-wicket haul against Australia.
IRE vs ZIM Toss Prediction
Historical Toss-Winning Stats at the Venue
- Out of the last three T20I matches at this venue, the team winning the toss has chosen to bowl first in one match and opted to bat in two.
Advantages of Bowling First on This Pitch
- In the 30 T20I matches played here, teams batting first have won 14 times, while teams bowling first have won 12 times.
IRE vs ZIM Today’s Match Scenario
Scenario 1
- Toss Winner: ZIM (opts to bat first)
- Power-Play Score: 45-50
- ZIM Total: 180-190
- Match Winner: Zimbabwe
Scenario 2
- Toss Winner: IRE (opts to bat first)
- Power-Play Score: 36-40
- IRE Total: 130-140
- Match Winner: Zimbabwe
Who will win today’s IRE vs ZIM T20 World Cup match?
Zimbabwe has been strong in the tournament with a solid win against Oman and a victory over Australia. With Ireland struggling, Zimbabwe enters this match with a psychological advantage, likely aiming to achieve another win.
