ICC World Twenty20 Update 2

There has been disappointment for Leicestershire CCC trio Niall O’Brien, Kevin O’Brien and Rob Taylor as Ireland and Scotland have been knocked out of the ICC World Twenty 20 tournament.

Both sides had to win their second game of the first round stage to have a chance of going through but Scotland lost to Zimbabwe by 11 runs while Ireland were thwarted by the weather today.

Zimbabwe batsman Sean Williams made the vital contribution of Thursday’s match. The left-hander’s 53 off 36 balls ensured his side made a competitive 147-7.

Former Foxes duo Richie Berrington (36) and Preston Mommsen (31) batted well but were only two of three players who made double figures as Scotland were dismissed for 136 with two deliveries to spare.

With only the group winners going through, and Zimbabwe already having won their first fixture, the result meant Scotland could no longer qualify. Afghanistan went on to beat Hong Kong to join Zimbabwe on four points, so tomorrow’s game is a Group B decider.

The game between Ireland and Bangladesh had always stood out as one to capture the imagination but persistent rain eventually forced an abandonment.

The first match of the day in Dharamsala between Oman and the Netherlands had been washed out and the elements meant that the second game was then reduced to 12 overs per side.

Tamim Iqbal smashed 47 off 26 balls but rains returned with Bangladesh on 94-2 after eight overs of their innings. The point gained by Ireland was not enough to keep them in with a shout.

Bangladesh and Oman now have three points apiece and meet on Sunday, so the outcome of Group A is solely dependent on that game.

* Pakistan’s first game is on Wednesday and Umar Akmal’s side will play either Bangladesh or Oman at Eden Gardens.