{"id":"f-80ae245e0c-b1ed9ccf-d47c-57db-a81e-b9cca807dc5b","title":"'Everybody Loves An Underdog Story'! Sikandar Raza Roars As Zimbabwe Book Super 8 Spot","description":"Zimbabwe advanced to the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup after rain washed out their match against Ireland, eliminating Australia and Ireland.","timestamp":1771406100,"category":"sports","headline":"'Everybody Loves An Underdog Story'! Sikandar Raza Roars As Zimbabwe Book Super 8 Spot","modifiedHeadline":"Super 8 bound: Zimbabwe’s historic cricket climb!","subCategories":["scid_185ed133"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"e1a3043c-d08a-46f2-845d-af459420d6f9","bundleTitle":"World Of Sports","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"491","fcSummary":"zimbabwe advanced to the super 8 stage of the t20 world cup 2026 after their match against ireland was washed out by rain, simultaneously eliminating australia and ireland. the result secured zimbabwe's spot with five points, setting up a match against india on february 26. sikandar raza emphasized that reaching the super 8s is just one goal, with more to achieve.","summary":"Zimbabwe made history by qualifying for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, stunning fans worldwide, inspiring everyone.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/news/IN/en/news18/f-80ae245e0c-b1ed9ccf-d47c-57db-a81e-b9cca807dc5b","sourceUrl":"https://www.news18.com/cricket/everybody-loves-an-underdog-story-sikandar-raza-roars-as-zimbabwe-book-super-8-spot-ws-lno-9910579.html","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/S_WtSLSKx6S0.webp","content":"

Zimbabwe advanced to the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after their crucial Group B match against Ireland was washed out by rain on Tuesday. The outcome also eliminated former champions

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Australia and Ireland from the tournament.

Both teams were awarded one point each. The shared points took Zimbabwe to five, securing them a place in the Super 8. Zimbabwe will face India in their opening Super 8 match on February 26 in Chennai.

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Zimbabwe became the seventh team to qualify for the Super 8s, completing group G1, which also includes India, South Africa, and the West Indies.

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We’ve done it! \uD83C\uDDFF\uD83C\uDDFC \uD83E\uDD73
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#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/DH887WL0Cl
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— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 17, 2026
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Sikandar Raza, though, is not yet done.

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“As much as we have achieved, but it’s just a tick in the box. It’s not the whole box that we set out for,” Raza said after the match.

Adding: “That is the whole point of us being here. The fact that we’ve qualified for the Super 8s hasn’t changed the ultimate goal that we set out for. Like I said, it’s just a tick in the box, but we have a lot of other goals to achieve and everybody loves an underdog story, don’t they?”

Zimbabwe will play their final group match against co-hosts Sri Lanka on February 19.

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How Zimbabwe Qualified For Super 8?

With table-toppers Sri Lanka (6 points) already qualified for the Super 8s, the contest held significant importance for Zimbabwe and Ireland, who entered the game with four and two points respectively.

Australia were also on two points following their defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

The former champions needed Zimbabwe to lose both their remaining matches to stay in contention, but persistent rain ended their hopes.

The toss at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was initially delayed due to drizzle, with the ground remaining under covers for a considerable period. However, continuous rain and a wet outfield prevented any play, confirming Zimbabwe’s progression to the Super 8 stage.

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(With inputs from Agencies)

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'Everybody Loves An Underdog Story'! Sikandar Raza Roars As Zimbabwe Book Super 8 Spot

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