CRICKET – FORMER champions Australia were eliminated from the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka yesterday while Zimbabwe progressed to the Super Eight stage of the tournament after their match against Ireland was abandoned due to persistent rain in Pallekele.
The washout means Zimbabwe get one point, putting them second in Group B on five points, one behind leaders Sri Lanka, who beat Australia by eight wickets on Monday to secure their place in the next stage. Zimbabwe stunned 2021 champions Australia by 23 runs last week – repeating their feat of the inaugural edition of the tournament 19 years ago – to leave the Australians in a precarious position.
The toss scheduled for 2.30pm local time had to be delayed with the covers still on at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, before officials ruled three hours later that no play would be possible.
Later yesterday, Nepal beat Scotland by seven wickets in a Group C dead rubber in Mumbai as the Himalayan side signed off from the tournament with a memorable victory.
Both teams were already packing their bags after the West Indies and England had sealed progress to the Super Eight, but that did not stop Nepal’s fans from turning up in numbers to create a party atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium.
Chasing 171 for their first victory of the tournament, Nepal got there with four balls to spare thanks to Dipendra Singh Airee’s explosive unbeaten 50 off 23 balls.
&uuid=(email))