Namibia shock Ireland in World Cup qualifier

Ireland cricketers’ hopes of making the ICC World Twenty20 tournament suffered an early blow with defeat to Namibia in Dubai.

The Africans won by four runs in the opening Group B game of the 16-team associate and affiliate qualifying tournament in the United Arab Emirates. Only two associate teams qualify for the tournament in Sri Lanka in September, where they will join the 10 Test-playing countries in a 12-team competition.

The Irish have reached the past two ICC World Twenty20s, in England in 2009 and the West Indies in 2010. The loss to Namibia is a setback rather than disaster for Phil Simmons’ team, who have another six group games to earn themselves one of three play-off places.