India, Feb. 17 -- Australia's slim Super 8 hopes at the T20 World Cup 2026 have effectively been pushed to the edge by the weather in Pallekele, where the Ireland vs Zimbabwe Group B match has been delayed due to rain.

If the game ends up as a no result, Australia will be mathematically eliminated - even before they take the field for their final group match.

The reason is brutally simple: points, not net run-rate. Zimbabwe came into this fixture on 4 points from two matches, after beating Australia and Ireland's earlier loss left the group tight at the top. A washout would award one point each, taking Zimbabwe to 5 points.

Australia, meanwhile, are on 2 points after back-to-back defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, and have only one gam...