Ireland chase unlikely Cricket World Cup dream

Ireland will book their spot at next year’s World Cup if they overcome Afghanistan in their final qualifier this morning after Zimbabwe suffered a shock defeat to the UAE in Harare.

Zimbabwe needed a win to guarantee a top-two finish in the Super Sixes and with it a place, alongside the West Indies, in the 10-team World Cup in England and Wales next summer.

But in a rain-shortened encounter, Zimbabwe fell three runs short of their adjusted victory target of 230 from 40 overs, finishing on 226 for seven to open the door for both Ireland and Afghanistan.