“We are in Kandy for our match against Zimbabwe in the ICC Under-20 World Cup. Conditions are not great. Rained most of the day and the covers are on. Will update as soon as we have any news,” Cricket Ireland shared on X.
After a stunning win over former champions Australia, Zimbabwe will be looking to continue the momentum against a tricky Irish side to seal their place in Tuesday’s Super 8s clash in Pallekele.
Zimbabwe created the biggest upset of the tournament so far by beating former champions Australia by 23 runs. They have won their first two matches and are second in the Group B points table, just behind co-hosts Sri Lanka, who beat Australia by eight wickets to book their place in the Super Eights.
But a win by any margin for Zimbabwe or a loss will be enough for Zimbabwe to progress to the Super Eights, resulting in the ignominious elimination of 2021 champions Australia.
After a 23-run defeat by Zimbabwe, Australia collapsed to eight wickets with co-hosts Sri Lanka on Monday to be pushed to the brink of a humiliating exit.
The Mitch Marsh-led side will now be praying that Ireland beat Zimbabwe to keep their slim chances of promotion alive. And if that happens, there is still a lot of work to do, starting with the need for a strong win over Oman to boost NRR and the hope that Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe well. Then it would be NRR.
platoons:
Team Ireland: Tim Tector, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (c), Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Joshua Little, Craig Young, Benjamin White, Benjamin Calitz, Sam Topping
Team Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (w), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Ben Curran, Clivena Madande, Tinotena Mapande,