Ireland will face Zimbabwe in Match No. 32 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, February 17. With qualification scenarios on the line, this Group B clash is expected to be a high-intensity contest, especially with Zimbabwe eyeing a Super Eight berth and Ireland fighting to stay alive in the tournament.
Match Details: IRE vs ZIM
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match | Ireland vs Zimbabwe, Match 32 (Group B) |
| Date | Tuesday, 17 February 2026 |
| Time | 03:00 PM IST |
| Toss Time | 02:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium |
| City | Pallekele (Kandy) |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar, FanCode |
Match Preview
Ireland’s campaign began on a difficult note with consecutive defeats against Sri Lanka and Australia. However, the Men in Green showed character by registering a vital win over Oman, keeping their qualification hopes intact. Heading into their final group-stage fixture, Ireland are in a must-win situation and will also need a significant Net Run Rate boost to improve their chances of advancing further in the competition.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, have been one of the standout teams of Group B. They started the tournament strongly with convincing victories over Oman and Australia and currently sit second on the points table. A win against Ireland would confirm their place in the Super Eight stage. With strong all-round performances and consistent contributions from both batters and bowlers, Zimbabwe will be confident of extending their winning momentum.
Head-to-Head Record: IRE vs ZIM
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRE) | 8 |
| Zimbabwe (ZIM) | 8 |
| No Result / Tied | 2 |
The head-to-head record reflects how evenly matched these two sides have been over the years.
Also Read: Hardik-Kuldeep Heated Exchange After IND vs PAK Match | Watch Video
Weather & Pitch Report: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
- Weather Report: Weather conditions could play a major role in this encounter, with a 50% chance of rain predicted during the afternoon. The temperature is expected to hover around 21°C, accompanied by high humidity levels of nearly 92%.
- Pitch Report: The Pallekele pitch traditionally favours batters. T20 scores above 150 are common here due to good bounce and carry. While fast bowlers might find some early assistance, consistency will be key, as the surface becomes ideal for stroke-play once batters get set.
Probable Playing 11
Ireland (IRE) Playing 11:
1. Ross Adair, 2. Tim Tector, 3. Harry Tector, 4. Lorcan Tucker (c & wk), 5. Curtis Campher, 6. George Dockrell, 7. Gareth Delany, 8. Mark Adair, 9. Barry McCarthy, 10. Matthew Humphreys, 11. Joshua Little
Zimbabwe (ZIM) Playing 11:
1. Brian Bennett, 2. Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), 3. Dion Myers, 4. Sikandar Raza (c), 5. Ryan Burl, 6. Tony Munyonga, 7. Tashinga Musekiwa, 8. Brad Evans, 9. Wellington Masakadza, 10. Graeme Cremer, 11. Blessing Muzarabani
Who Will Win Today’s Match? (AI Prediction)
This match is expected to be closely contested, but the current form clearly favours Zimbabwe. Their balanced squad, confidence from back-to-back big wins, and strong all-round performances give them an edge. Ireland have the firepower to challenge, but they will need an exceptional display under pressure to overcome a settled Zimbabwean unit.
AI Match Prediction: Zimbabwe are favourites to win Match 32 and secure qualification for the Super Eight stage, though rain could play a role in the final outcome.
Also Read: NZ vs CAN T20 WC 2026, Pitch Report, Head to Head, Playing 11, AI Prediction
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