The Australian cricket team’s journey in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 has officially ended after heavy rains washed out the crucial Ireland versus Zimbabwe match in Sri Lanka.
With no ball bowled in the abandoned clash at the Pallekele International Stadium, Zimbabwe secured a point that confirmed their place in the Super Eight stage, ending Australia’s hopes of progression.
The rain-affected washout left Zimbabwe on five points in Group B, one behind Sri Lanka and comfortably ahead of Australia, who now sit on two points with only a dead-rubber match remaining.
Australia will still play their final group match against Oman on Friday, but even a win cannot change their fate, as Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have qualified for the Super Eight stage.
Amid this elimination, a mysterious pattern linked to Pakistan’s previous ICC tournament victories has resurfaced, suggesting Australia’s exits often coincide with Pakistan winning the tournament.
The pattern began during the 1992 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, when the home side exited at the group stage and Pakistan went on to claim their maiden title.
Seventeen years later, during the 2009 T20 World Cup, Ricky Ponting’s Australia again exited before the knockout rounds, while the Younis Khan-led Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka in the final at Lord’s.
Eight year later, in the 2017 Champions Trophy, Australia’s campaign ended at the group stage once more, and the Men in Green defeated India in the final to lift the trophy under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed.
It is worth noting that the Green Shirts have not yet qualified for the Super Eight stage in the ongoing T20 World Cup, and their fate will be decided in the final group-stage match against Namibia.
