Ireland have secured their berth at the T20 World Cup in India next year by virtue of topping Group A.
Having beaten Jersey convincingly this morning by seven wickets, Ireland went to eight points, but a win for either Namibia or Papua New Guinea would have meant the Irish would have gone into the play-off slots.
However, USA defeated PNG by 18 runs, while Irfan Ahmed’s blistering 98 saw Hong Kong crush Namibia by 83 runs and end their automatic qualification hopes.
Ireland now progress along with Scotland – who qualified yesterday – straight to the semi-finals of this competition along with a guaranteed place in India next year.
“We are delighted to have topped the group and made it through to the next qualifying phase in India,” said a very happy but relieved Ireland captain William Porterfield after qualification was secured.
“It’s not the way we would have liked to have done it by relying on other results. However we turned in a very solid performance today, and we’ll take a lot of momentum and confidence from that going into the finals weekend.”
In the play-offs Hong Kong take on Afghanistan while Namibia will face The Netherlands. The winners of these games will qualify for India and advance to play Ireland and Scotland in the semi-finals.
It won’t be all over for the losers, as they will have one final chance to make it to India with sudden death matches against Oman and PNG.
Ireland’s semi-final will take place at 2.15pm on Saturday July 25th and the Boys in Green are calling on Ireland fans to turn out in force to get behind the home side:
Ireland are calling on fans to turn out in force next Saturday! http://t.co/egvBXiDV8o #BackingGreen #wt20q
https://t.co/iVES9otUXF
— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) July 19, 2015
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