T20 World Cup 2026: Match 32, IRE vs ZIM Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between Ireland vs Zimbabwe?

Ireland will take on Zimbabwe in Match No. 32 of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 17.

Ireland began their campaign with back-to-back defeats against Sri Lanka and Australia. However, they managed to bounce back with a crucial win over Oman to keep their hopes alive. Heading into their final group-stage fixture, Ireland face a must-win situation and will not only need victory but also a healthy Net Run Rate boost to strengthen their chances of progressing.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe have enjoyed a strong start to the tournament, registering impressive wins over Oman and Australia. Currently placed second on the points table, a victory in this encounter would seal their spot in the Super Eight stage. The side has looked well-balanced and confident, delivering collective performances with both bat and ball, and will aim to continue their dominant run against Ireland.

IRE vs ZIM Match Details

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele Pitch Report

The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is generally considered a batting-friendly venue, where scores in excess of 150 are quite common in T20 cricket. The surface offers good pace and carry, allowing batters to play their shots freely once they settle in. Bowlers will need to maintain disciplined lines and lengths, as any inconsistency is likely to be punished. While there may be some assistance for the pacers early on, the conditions overall tend to favour the batters.

IRE vs ZIM Head to Head Record in T20s

IRE vs ZIM Predicted Playing XIs

Ireland:

Ross Adair, Tim Tector, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (c) (wk), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Joshua Little

Zimbabwe:

Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani

IRE vs ZIM Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter: Lorcan Tucker

Wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker could prove to be the key player in this crucial encounter. He played a match-winning knock of 94* against Oman, anchoring the innings and guiding his team to a vital victory. Overall, Tucker has amassed 1,730 runs in T20 cricket. Ireland will once again rely on him to deliver a decisive innings and keep their hopes of progressing to the next round alive.

Probable Best Bowler: Blessing Muzarabani

Blessing Muzarabani could be the standout bowler for Zimbabwe in this clash. He has claimed seven wickets in two games at an impressive average of 4.71, showcasing his ability to strike at crucial moments. His full quota of four overs will be vital for Zimbabwe, as he is expected to leverage his height and bounce to trouble the Irish batters and provide the key breakthroughs needed to maintain his team’s dominance.

Today's Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match