IRE vs ZIM Match

12:30 PM IST Just a tick in the box - The skipper of Zimbabwe, SIKANDAR RAZA, is first asked about who will sing the victory song for the team. Raza smiles and says that it will be Richard Ngarava,  having made some very good songs for the team and ranked as the headmaster. Coming to the serious part on how big is qualification for the Super 8 stage, Sikandar takes us back to the sub-regional qualifiers played by Zimbabwe against teams like Kenya and Tanzania and many more. Adds that during that juncture, he got the team together and said that the team is in this mess because of the way it has been playing and it is the players themselves who have to get out of this mess.

12:28 PM IST Got a good crop - The captain of Ireland, LORCAN TUCKER, admits that it is disappointing to go out in this fashion, as they would have liked a game to happen. On their journey in this edition, Tucker says that the team did get some momentum from the Oman game, but got it very late. Looks back at moments from the Sri Lanka clash, which they could have possibly won and changed their fate. Regarding the squad, Lorcan says that this Irish group is very young, with many playing their first World Cup. But is amazed looking at their skills and finds it very encouraging. Hopes that these players develop and Ireland get a good crop for the next World Cup.

12:25 PM IST Let's do the rain dance! It is party time for and in Zimbabwe. They would be overwhelmed by this result, not the call off, but their qualification for the next stage. By this virtue, both, Ireland and Australia have been knocked out. A tough pill to swallow for the 2021 champions but poor cricket is the main reason for the Kangaroos being bounced out early. As far as Ireland are concerned, they will be disappointed as well. It is understandable to be defeated after playing, but to be shown the exit door without that final chance is something no one can argue about. They would have gained massive confidence after their previous win over Oman and would have been gung ho to win this match, but sadly, no one can conquer fate.

12:24 PM IST ... THE PRESENTATION ...

12:15 PM IST A new first - For the first time in the history of Men's T20 World Cups, Zimbabwe have qualified for the Super Eight stage. But don't go by judging them on their luck in this particular match. Just like Australia, the Chevrons are solely responsible for their own passage and have thoroughly deserved this success. Thrashing Oman and then say, shocking or beating Australia, whichever word suits you, they have knocked the door ajar to the ICC, raising the cry loud and clear - Please give more matches for teams ranked outside the top 8 outside the World Cups. No Starc. No Hazlewood. No Cummins. No Smith, I mean, not selected. No Marsh and David for the first two games. Boo. Really sad for the Aussies, being undermined. Of course, no one denies that. But then. No Brendan Taylor for the World Cup. Skipper Sikandar Raza goes down with cramps while bowling against Australia. Graeme Cremer gets a split webbing on his bowling hand. Shouldn't we feel sad for Zimbabwe as well? Yet, they fought and conquered. Bottom line - We can give n number of excuses for our failures. Or we can manage with what we have got and give our best. Take a bow, Zimbabwe, defying odds, you have fought like a warrior nation and roared into the next round. Let the feeling sink in.

12:06 PM IST 12 pm GMT - MATCH CALLED OFF! It does seem that way. The umpires have had a word with the groundstaff and now, are going to talk to the two captains. Yes, it does appear that the expected fear is going to come out true. Sikandar Raza and Lorcan Tucker come down, have a chat with the umpires and then shake hands. That will be it then, for this game. The match has been called off and ZIMBABWE QUALIFY FOR THE SUPER 8!