Bangladesh-Ireland washed out, South Africa qualify for ODI World Cup | Cricket

The first of three one-day internationals between Bangladesh and Ireland ended in a draw after the match was abandoned due to rain, confirming South Africa’s place in this year’s Cricket World Cup.

Ireland needed to win all three matches in the series to have a chance of securing the final automatic qualification spot for the World Cup via the ICC ODI Super League at the expense of the Proteas.

Instead, the Irish will have to go through the final qualifying periods in June and July when rain interrupted their reply to Bangladesh’s 246/9 on Tuesday.

Ireland were 65/3 after 16.3 overs when the rain came at around 4.45pm local time at The County Ground in Chelmsford, home of the English county of Essex.

Mushfiqur Rahim top scored with 61 off 70 balls for the ODI side’s 44th century after Ireland put Bangladesh into batting in what looked like decent batting conditions.

Najmul Hossain Shanto added 44 and Towhid Hridoy hit a 31-ball 27 as Bangladesh lost points 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 Paul Stirling (15) and captain Andy Balbirnie (5) in the space of 10 balls by the end of the fifth over.

Harry Tector was not 21 and with him in the middle was Lorcan Tucker (2) when the covers came up.

Ireland needed to bowl at least 20 overs to get the result.

Bangladesh had already secured an automatic qualification spot for the Cricket World Cup to be held in India in October-November.