Australia crash out, Zimbabwe, New Zealand advance

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP): Australia, the 2021 champions, crashed out of cricket’s T20 World Cup yesterday after Zimbabwe’s Group B game against Ireland was abandoned because of rain without a ball being bowled. But the no-result in Pallekele meant Zimbabwe qualified for the second stage of the tournament for the first time. Seven teams have now qualified for the second round. Zimbabwe will be in Group 1 along with defending champion India, West Indies, and South Africa. Sri Lanka are in Group 2 with England, New Zealand, and Pakistan or USA.