Zimbabwe skipper Chigumbura out of Ireland clash

Hobart: Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura has been ruled out of Saturday's make-or-break World Cup clash against Ireland with a thigh injury, the team announced Wednesday.

The 28-year-old allrounder was hurt in Sunday's 20-run loss to Pakistan in Brisbane when he tripped and fell while chasing a ball in the Gabba outfield.

"A MRI scan showed that Chigumbura suffered a third grade tear of his quadriceps muscle -- a large muscle group on the front of the thigh," said a Zimbabwe team statement.

"Because of the severity of the injury, Chigumbura will not be available for selection for Zimbabwe's fifth Group B match, which is against Ireland at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart this Saturday."

Zimbabwe have just two points in four Pool B games after a win over the UAE and three defeats to South Africa, West Indies and Pakistan.

After Saturday's game, they will complete their pool fixtures against defending champions India in Auckland on March 14.