Afghanistan end Ireland’s World Cup bid

Ireland will not participate at next year’s World Cup after suffering an agonising defeat to Afghanistan in their all-ornothing encounter in Harare.

The two latest full member nations of the International Cricket Council were both vying for a place in England and Wales next summer as the qualification tournament reached its crescendo.

And it was Afghanistan who prevailed as they overhauled Ireland’s 209 for seven with five wickets and as many balls to spare to join the West Indies in the ten-team World Cup.

It is a spectacular reversal of fortunes for Afghanistan, who lost their first three group games and only progressed to the Super Six stage through net run-rate. While they will be contemplating a World Cup qualifier final against the Windies tomorrow, Ireland miss out on the tournament proper for the first time since 2003.

Paul Stirling top scored for Ireland with 55, while mo ham mad Shahzad’s 55 from 124 balls propelled Afghanistan to victory. Rashid Khan took 3-40 and Dawlat Zadran 2-54.

“We had some key moments but we could not take them,” said Ireland skipper William Porterfield.