Stuttering Ireland and flawless Netherlands qualify for ICC World Twenty20 in England

Ireland and the Netherlands qualified for the ICC World Twenty 2009 in England when they recorded victories of contrasting styles in the semi-finals of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier at Stormont in Belfast, Ireland on Monday.

While the top-seeded home team stuttered to a four-wicket victory over Kenya with five balls to spare, the Netherlands coasted to a comfortable five-wicket success over Scotland with 12 balls remaining.

In the third and fourth-place play-off later today, second-seeded Kenya will take on third-seeded Scotland while Ireland and the Netherlands will meet in the final on Tuesday at 1300 (local time)

The finalists of the Belfast event are guaranteed a place in the 12-team ICC World Twenty20 2009 to be staged at Lord's, The Oval and Trent Bridge next year but the inclusion of the third-place team for next year's event is dependent on Zimbabwe Cricket's Board ratifying a decision taken by its officials during ICC Annual Conference week, to step back from the tournament.

If Zimbabwe does confirm it won't play, the top Associate from the Belfast event will take Zimbabwe's place in Group A (with India and Bangladesh), the losing finalist will ease into Group B (with England and Pakistan) and the third place side takes a position in Group D (with South Africa and New Zealand).

However, if Zimbabwe opts not to ratify its earlier decision to step back from the tournament, the top Associate will join England and Pakistan in Group B and the losing finalists will form Group D with South Africa and New Zealand.

The semi-finals results means the ICC World Twenty20 2009 will certainly have two new teams in the competition while one or maybe both of the previous two participants - Kenya or Scotland - may miss out.

Scores in brief

First semi-final

Ireland beat Kenya by four wickets

Kenya 67 all out, 17.2 overs (Steve Tikolo 13, Thomas Odoyo 11; Andre Botha 3-20, Alex Cusack 2-3, Kevin O'Brien 2-15, Peter Connell 2-16)

Ireland 72-6 in 19.1 overs (Andre Botha 22; Kevin O'Brien 17 not out, Niall O'Brien 11, James Kamande 2-11, Ragheb Aga 2-12, Thomas Odoyo 2-13)

Second semi-final

The Netherlands beat Scotland by five wickets

Scotland 107-8, 20 overs (Kyle Coetzer 40, Navdeep Poonia 26, Ryan Watson 22; Ryan ten Doeschate 3-23)

Netherlands 110-5, 18 overs (Eric Szwarzcyniski 31, Ryan ten Doeschate 24 not out, Tom de Grooth 24, Peter Borren 16 not out; Richard Berrington 2-22, John Blain 2-24) (ANI)

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