Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Zimbabwe on Tuesday advanced to the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup after their decisive Group B clash against Ireland was abandoned due to persistent rain, a result that also knocked former champions Australia and Ireland out of the competition.With both sides sharing a point each, Zimbabwe moved to five points — enough to seal qualification. They are set to open their Super 8 campaign against India on February 26 in Chennai.
“As much as we have achieved, it is just a tick in the box and not the whole box. There will be a small celebration, but we will then focus on the next game. It is just a small tick in what we have set out to achieve,” Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said.Having missed out on the 2024 edition, Zimbabwe became the seventh team to qualify for the Super 8s, completing Group G1 alongside India, South Africa and West Indies. They will wrap up their league engagements against co-hosts Sri Lanka on February 19.Group G2 features Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand and either Pakistan or USA, with matches scheduled in Colombo and Pallekele.“Myself and the coach, we will sit down, we have the data on them (Sri Lanka) and we will try to win that game. Qualifying has not changed our ultimate goal,” Raza said.“Everyone loves an underdog story. Every condition we find ourselves in, if we get a day or two to train, we try and learn those conditions. We train, try and assess the conditions, see the previous games (at that venue), and try to put together a good game of cricket.”With Sri Lanka (6) already through to the Super 8s, the fixture carried high stakes for Zimbabwe (4) and Ireland (2). Australia, also on two points after losses to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, needed Zimbabwe to lose their remaining matches to stay alive, but relentless rain dashed those hopes.The toss at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was delayed due to drizzle, and despite brief optimism, continuous showers and a soggy outfield meant no play was possible, confirming Zimbabwe’s progress.Zimbabwe supporters, however, braved the weather to celebrate, singing and dancing in the stands.“Whichever corner they are sitting at, they will be the loudest. They keep lifting us up. But when we hear them, it gives us energy,” Raza said.“These guys have done it out of their own pockets. Hopefully, it is the start of many more fans coming in. We will try everything to raise the Zimbabwe flag high.“Hopefully, the numbers will increase and hopefully this is the start of a culture of fans going wherever the team plays,” he added.
