World Cup blow as Ireland fall short in Harare

Ireland will not participate at next year’s World Cup after suffering an agonising defeat to Afghanistan in their all-or-nothing 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 10-team global tournament.