New Delhi: Zimbabwe scripted history on Tuesday by reaching the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup for the first time in the history of the tournament. Zimbabwe qualified for the last eight of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 after their group-stage match against Ireland at the Pallekele International Stadium in Pallekele was washed out due to rain.

Zimbabwe’s qualification meant both Australia and Ireland were knocked out from the tournament from the group stage. Australia entered the T20 World Cup 2026 as one of the favourites for the title, however, back-to-back defeats against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka confirmed their early exit from the tournament.

After their historic Super Eight qualification, captain Sikandar Raza said it was one of the goals of the team to make it to the last eight, but insisted the next dream is to earn respect for Zimbabwe as a cricketing nation. Raza said the team remains focused on doing well in the Super Eight stage of the tournament.

“To qualify for Super 8 with a game to spare for the first time in our history is certainly no small achievement. It’s an achievement that our whole country and people should enjoy,” Raza said at the post-match press conference after Zimbabwe’s washout against Ireland.

“Yes, Super 8 is certainly a tick in the box, but it’s certainly not the whole box we set out for. But this is just one of those things we have ticked from the box, but we’ve got other things to achieve, and everybody remains committed and focused for that. One of the goals we set out for was certainly that we’re going to bring more recognition and respect to our country,” he added.

Zimbabwe staged one of the biggest upsets in the tournament by outclassing Australia in their second group game in Colombo last week. Pacer Blessing Muzarabani picked up a four-wicket haul as Zimbabwe successfully defended the total of 169 runs to earn a famous win. They earlier thrashed Oman by 8 wickets in their opener to get off the mark in the tournament.

Zimbabwe will face Sri Lanka in their final group match on February 19 before beginning their Super Eight campaign against West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 23. Zimbabwe are part of Group X in the Super 8 alongside India, West Indies and South Africa.

Sikandar Raza & Co. will take on defending champions in their second Super 8 match in Chennai on February 26 before locking horns with South Africa in their last Super Eight clash on March 01. The two teams from each group in the Super Eight will qualify for the semifinals in the T20 World Cup 2026.