South Africa’s place in this year’s Cricket World Cup was confirmed on Tuesday after the first of three one-day internationals between Bangladesh and Ireland was abandoned because of rain.
Ireland needed to win all three matches in the series to stand a chance of claiming the final automatic qualifying place for the World Cup via the ICC ODI Super League, at the expense of the Proteas.
Instead, the Irish must go through final qualifying in June and July, after rain interrupted their reply to Bangladesh’s 246-9.
Ireland were 65-3 after 16.3 overs when the rain came around 4.45pm at The County Ground in Chelmsford, the home of Essex.
Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored with 61 off 70 balls, for his 44th ODI half-century, after Bangladesh were put in to bat by Ireland in what appeared decent batting conditions.
Najmul Hossain Shanto added 44 and Towhid Hridoy hit a 31-ball 27 as Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals, with Josh Little having the best bowling figures of 3-61.
Ireland got off to a poor start in the reply, losing the wickets of Paul Stirling (15) and captain Andy Balbirnie (5) in the space of 10 balls by the end of the fifth over.
Harry Tector was 21 not out and had been joined in the middle by Lorcan Tucker (2) by the time the covers came on.
Ireland needed to bat 20 overs or more for a result.
Bangladesh were already assured of an automatic qualifying berth for the Cricket World Cup taking place in India over October and November.
