Ireland knocked out of World T20 as rain ruins Bangladesh game

Abandoned match ends hopes of qualifying to Super 10 stage of competition

Indian ground staff cover the wicket as rain falls at  The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala during the World Twenty20 competition. Photograph:  STR/AFP/Getty Images
Indian ground staff cover the wicket as rain falls at The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala during the World Twenty20 competition. Photograph: STR/AFP/Getty Images

Ireland are out of the ICC World Twenty20 after heavy rain prevented a result in their match against Bangladesh in Dharamsala.

The bad weather relented temporarily to allow William Porterfield’s team to start a contest already reduced to 12 overs per side.

But after in-form Tamim Iqbal powered Bangladesh to 94 for two in only eight of those overs, rain and lightning returned.

Ireland have therefore paid a heavy price for Wednesday’s shock defeat to Oman, and can no longer qualify for the Super 10 stage against Test-playing nations – irrespective of the outcome of their final Group A match against the Netherlands on Sunday.

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In what play was possible against Bangladesh, Ireland caught and fielded poorly in awkward conditions after Porterfield won the toss.

But following an opening stand of 61 in under five overs, Andy McBrine had Soumya Sarkar stumped with one that turned.

Then Tamim, who hit four sixes and three fours in his 47 from 26 balls, chipped a simple catch to midwicket off George Dockrell.

Within seconds of his dismissal, though, the rain began falling again and with no resumption this time, Ireland and the Netherlands will therefore be playing only for pride back at the same venue on Sunday.

Bangladesh and Oman’s group decider will follow that match.