Cricket World Cup Qualifiers

StringerBell

Taylor has been kept quiet so far. Longer it goes without him getting a run the more edgy they will get

Ha! Timing

BarryD2

Good stuff so far, but will rain and dodgy decisions/ ICC fudging intervene. I wouldn't rule anything out here

Deise Vu

26/2 after 8. Qadeer had two wides in a row but has still only conceded 11 runs off 24 balls. Naveed has conceded 15 off 24 but got both wickets. What are the UAE's other bowlers like? It looks like they are intent on being ahead on D/L if there is an early end but I presume these two can only bowl 8 overs in the reduced game?

BarryD2

Meanwhile RTE Sport haven't a clue re cricket as usual.

Yesterday they announced several times that Ire is to play Azerbaijan tomorrow!! Once is a blunder, to keep repeating it in sports bulletins is just lazy, sloppy journalism.

Today, Des Cahill blathers on about English cricket and ignores this critical game in an actual tournament which Irl are playing in..

StringerBell

Hayet is getting punished a little, going for a run a ball

StringerBell

Wicket! Taylor is gone

45/3 through 11.4 overs

gavinoontheweb

Big big wicket, 45/3, Taylor was just easing himself into consistent runs there. Starting to believe now...

dulpit

Who knew watching the ICC's website update would be so riveting?

Can we start to be a little optimistic yet?

evancunny95

MASSIVE WICKET. Taylor gone!

Collie D

UAE now favourites with the bookies for those of you who are that way inclined.

Couldn't have asked for a better start really.

Joe_ Public

Incredible stuff. Required run rate 6.6 and inching higher, dream start this!

Deise Vu

47/3 after 13 and UAE have used 5 bowlers now. The last to come in, Mustafa, conceded only 1 run so I presume we can start being slightly optimistic.

StringerBell

Williams looks like he isn't going to be hanging around, quick runs or a quick wicket to follow

md323

Will a Zimbabwean loss and win for us put us through?

Collie D

Required run rate of 7.23 is almost double their current run rate of 3.64

Deise Vu

58/3 after 16 - they need 172 off 24. Run Rate is 3.625; required rate is 7.17. Can't believe this. Is there any danger it is called off before 20 overs and then our game is abandoned tomorrow?

Collie D

Deise Vu wrote: »

58/3 after 16 - they need 172 off 24. Run Rate is 3.625; required rate is 7.17. Can't believe this. Is there any danger it is called off before 20 overs and then our game is abandoned tomorrow?

Only 20% chance of rain for rest of the day so they should see out the 20.

Also a chance their NRR falls below ours? In which case a no result would put us through tomorrow.

Getting ahead of myself here...sorry

Deise Vu

66/3 after 17. Only 3 more overs for a match. Better over for the Zims but it included Moor's first 4 after an hour at the crease. I hope this means the outfield is boggy.

Deise Vu

BBC says drinks lads. Sounds like a plan.

citytillidie

Collie D wrote: »

Only 20% chance of rain for rest of the day so they should see out the 20.

Also a chance their NRR falls below ours? In which case a no result would put us through tomorrow.

Getting ahead of myself here...sorry

NRR is not in play it is number of wins

How can Ireland and Afghanistan qualify?

Neither team qualify if Zimbabwe beat UAE. They also wouldn't qualify if their own game, on Friday, is washed out.

If UAE beat Zimbabwe or that game ends in a tie/no-result, then the Ireland v Afghanistan match becomes a virtual knockout - with the winner qualifying for the 2019 World Cup.

What do Zimbabwe have to do to qualify now?

Simple, beat UAE. If Zimbabwe's game is a tie or no-result, they would be very close to elimination. That's because Zimbabwe then finish on six points with two wins, and the winner of Ireland-Afghanistan would end up on six points, but with three wins. Tournament rules say that number of wins take priority (over net run-rate and head-to-head) in breaking ties.

If UAE beat Zimbabwe, then the hosts can only hope the Ireland-Afghanistan game end as a tie or no-result. A big loss to UAE could also knock Zimbabwe out, since their net run-rate would also take a significant hit.

Mysterypunter

md323 wrote: »

Will a Zimbabwean loss and win for us put us through?

Yes

Mysterypunter

82-3. Need 148 from 20, not easy

Adamcp898

citytillidie wrote: »

NRR is not in play it is number of wins

How can Ireland and Afghanistan qualify?

Neither team qualify if Zimbabwe beat UAE. They also wouldn't qualify if their own game, on Friday, is washed out.

If UAE beat Zimbabwe or that game ends in a tie/no-result, then the Ireland v Afghanistan match becomes a virtual knockout - with the winner qualifying for the 2019 World Cup.

What do Zimbabwe have to do to qualify now?

Simple, beat UAE. If Zimbabwe's game is a tie or no-result, they would be very close to elimination. That's because Zimbabwe then finish on six points with two wins, and the winner of Ireland-Afghanistan would end up on six points, but with three wins. Tournament rules say that number of wins take priority (over net run-rate and head-to-head) in breaking ties.

If UAE beat Zimbabwe, then the hosts can only hope the Ireland-Afghanistan game end as a tie or no-result. A big loss to UAE could also knock Zimbabwe out, since their net run-rate would also take a significant hit.

With a UAE win and a no result tomorrow though both Ireland and Zimbabwe will finish level on points with two wins each in which case NRR does come into play which is what I think he was getting at.

It's a tad early to be getting to that though.

Deise Vu

Its hit or get off the pot time for Zimbabwe. Mathematics go against them now every time they don't reach the RR. Moor and Williams are in a while now and will presumably push big time.

Joe_ Public

Look like they're batting sensibly, though, creeping rrr is probably better than bleeding more wickets. Probably be more runs on offer later into the innings......hope i'm wrong of course!

KevIRL

Need to break up this partnership.

KevIRL

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Look like they're batting sensibly, though, creeping rrr is probably better than bleeding more wickets. Probably be more runs on offer later into the innings......hope i'm wrong of course!

You are absolutely correct.

Hammer Archer

Lot's of wickets in hand so still think Zimbabwe will do it. Raza could cause us more misery once he comes in. Few quick wickets would be fantastic!

lambayire

Over 8 an over now.

evancunny95

RRR over 8 now

Hammer Archer

50 up for the partnership. Few more overs and they'll probably start motoring.

gavinoontheweb

Didn't expect this partnership, I thought Moor looked shaky early on. They will start opening up now

BIGT4464

Its going to be close run finale here. 108 now

citytillidie

Ahh unless there is more rain Zim have this 90 balls to get 120

Joe_ Public

Wicket absolutely vital now or this could get away quite quickly

Mr. Guappa

This is FTA on Sky Sports Mix for anyone just coming to it now.

KevIRL

BIGT4464 wrote: »

Its going to be close run finale here. 108 now

If the UAE dont take wickets then Zim will win it comfortably

evancunny95

Crowd turning, wickets in the bank and they're hitting their RRR. Wickets needed NOW

Deise Vu

First 6 to Williams and 10 off the over. Getting squeaky again. Hayat has been the least economical of the UAE bowlers and he still has 3 to bowl. The good news is Naveed and Qadeer who did the damage in the first 8 overs haven't bowled since so will presumably close out.

Joe_ Public

Hate when you turn away for a few seconds while watching on sky and when you come back you see a wicket taken......then you quickly realise you are merely watching a replay from earlier!!

KevIRL

Zimbabwe gone back as favourites in running

s3rtvdbwfj81ch

26 was a good over tho

KevIRL

Moor out

citytillidie

Wicket

BIGT4464

Wicket

Joe_ Public

Game on!!

Collie D

Excellent, hope was fading rapidly there. Was about to start doing some work

skeleton_boy

124/4!

gavinoontheweb

4 down not much changes, Raza in ahead of Ervine on the order. Raza is the danger man and he wont take long to start firing, we need a few more tight overs.

munsterlegend

Another wicket gone. Getting interesting now.