Ireland, Netherlands see World T20 hopes washed away

While Netherlands’ match versus Oman was called off without a ball being bowled, Ireland got some action against Bangladesh before heavy rain intervened and washed away their hopes.

“I know we are out of the competition. It’s a disappointing thing for ourselves, kind of last thing on our mind and it’s hard to take when the rain interrupts here,” a dejected Ireland captain William Porterfield said.

After a delayed start, the second match witnessed Ireland winning the toss and inviting Bangladesh to bat in a game reduced to 12-overs-a-side.

Opener Tamim Iqbal’s breezy 47 provided good entertainment to the sparse crowd that had stayed on patiently as Bangladesh were 94 for two after eight overs when rain stopped play for one final time.

“Tamim has always been an important player for us and he was good in PSL (Pakistan Super League) and now he takes his form into the World Cup. So it’s good for us,” said Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza.

Earlier the Dutch, who shared a point with Oman in the rained-off game, had been put in to field after losing the toss but play was not possible due to bad weather.

“There’s extreme disappointment. We’ve put in a lot of time, effort and energy in trying to qualify. For it to end like this after having lost to Bangladesh in a closely-fought game, we are gutted,” Dutch skipper Peter Borren said.

There are no reserve days at the tournament to cater for rain-hit matches.

Oman, who stunned Ireland in their first group encounter, are looking like giant-killers ahead of their winner-takes-all clash against favourites Bangladesh on Sunday.

“We were confident coming into the game. We are still alive if we beat Bangladesh. We put in consistent performances in the qualifiers in Ireland and Scotland. They (players) are all excited,” a beaming Oman captain Sultan Ahmed said.

Oman had defeated Ireland by two wickets in their first game while Bangladesh edged the Netherlands by just eight runs.

Afghanistan will take on Zimbabwe on Saturday where the winner will make the Super 10s, while Hong Kong meet Scotland in the other Group B match.