Rain ends Ireland's campaign in Cricket World Cup

Ireland are out of the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup after their match with Zimbabwe was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain in Pallekele.

Zimbabwe progress to the Super Eight stage of the tournament, while former champions Australia are also eliminated as a result.

Ireland sit in third place in Group B, on three points, having been defeated by Australia and Sri Lanka in previous games.

A win over Oman did offer some hope for progress but a victory was needed in this final match of their group.

The toss scheduled for ⁠9am Irish 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.

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.

Today's draw leaves Australia three points behind Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka will play Zimbabwe to decide which side finishes top, while Australia will meet Oman in what is now a dead rubber.

Ireland's campaign is at an end.

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