IRE vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction: T20 World Cup Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing XI & Pitch Report

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup heats up as Ireland takes on Zimbabwe at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Both teams are coming off massive wins Ireland posted a mammoth total against Oman, while Zimbabwe stunned Australia in a historic upset. With in form stars like Lorcan Tucker and Brian Bennett, this contest promises high octane action for fantasy users looking to top the Leaderboard.

Match Details

• Match: Ireland vs Zimbabwe
• Date: 17 Feb 2026
• Time: 03:00 PM IST (15:00 Local)
• Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

Live Streaming & Broadcast Details

Fans can check the country wise official live streaming and TV broadcast details for this match. To know where you can watch live streaming in your country, visit this complete guide: ICC Men’s World Cup 2026 Live Streaming Channels – Country wise Guide

Weather Report

The weather in Kandy is expected to be warm with temperatures around 30°C. However, humidity will be high (around 75%), which could make fielding draining. There is a slight chance of evening showers, so keep an eye on the forecast. The Dew factor might come into play in the second innings, potentially helping the chasing team.

Pitch Report & Venue Stats

The surface at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is generally balanced but offers assistance to bowlers as the game progresses. The average score in the last 5 matches is 152 runs, suggesting a contest between bat and ball rather than a flat run fest. Interestingly, the wicket split is nearly even, with Spinners taking 31 wickets and Pacers taking 30 wickets. Fantasy users should focus on bowlers who vary their pace and technical batters who can handle spin.

Team Form & Head to-Head

Ireland

• Last 5 Matches: W, L, L, W, W
• Ireland is coming off a dominant batting display where they scored 235 runs. Their top order is firing, and they have won 3 of their last 5 games.
• Head to-Head: Ireland holds the edge with 14 wins historically.

Zimbabwe

• Last 5 Matches: W, W, L, W, L
• Zimbabwe is in excellent form, having won 3 of their last 5, including a massive confidence boosting win over Australia.
• Head to-Head: Zimbabwe has secured 11 wins against the Irish side.

Injury Updates & Player Availability

• Ireland: The squad appears Fully fit following their recent victory.
• Zimbabwe: No major injury concerns reported; the team is likely to stick to their winning combination.

Probable Playing XI

Ireland

Paul Stirling, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little, Matthew Humphreys

Zimbabwe

Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

Key Players to Watch

• Lorcan Tucker: The wicket keeper batter is in sublime touch, smashing 94 runs in the last match. He is a safe pick for fantasy contests.
• Brian Bennett: A revelation for Zimbabwe, he has scored 112 runs in the series and is currently the top run getter for his side.
• Blessing Muzarabani: The tall pacer has been lethal, picking up 7 wickets in the series. His bounce will be effective at Pallekele.
• Josh Little: With 3 wickets in the last game and a strike rate of 12.0, he is Ireland's premier threat in the death overs.
• Sikandar Raza: The veteran all rounder is always a threat with both bat and ball, making him a top captaincy candidate.

Fantasy Picks

Small League Safe Picks

• Lorcan Tucker
• Sikandar Raza
• Josh Little

Mega League Differential Picks

• George Dockrell: Often overlooked, but his recent 85 runs and 4 wickets in the series make him a high value differential.
• Brad Evans: He has picked up 6 wickets in the series and can provide crucial points if the top order fails.

Match Prediction / Outlook

While Zimbabwe has the momentum after beating Australia, Ireland boasts a more destructive batting lineup suited to these conditions. Expect a close contest, but Ireland holds a slight advantage due to their batting depth and historical Head to-Head dominance.

Disclaimer

This analysis is based on current stats and form. Always check the Final Playing XI and Toss updates before locking your fantasy team.