COLOMBO — The West Indies qualified for the Super Eights stage of the World Twenty20 after its Group B match against Ireland was abandoned due to rain Monday. Ireland made 129-6 in its 19 overs before heavy rain at the Premadasa Stadium prevented the West Indies from starting its innings. Both teams gained one point each, but the West Indies joined Group B winner Australia in the next round due to a superior net run-rate over the Irish. The West Indies will be placed alongside defending champion England, New Zealand and host Sri Lanka in Group One of the Super Eights which starts Thursday. The other half has Australia, South Africa, India and either Pakistan or Bangladesh, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals. The match, watched by barely 1,000 fans, was reduced to 19 overs per side after an hour's interruption midway through Ireland's innings due to rain. Chris Gayle turned star performer with the ball with two wickets as the Ireland innings failed to gain any momentum after the West Indies won the toss and elected to field. Niall O'Brien made 25 and Gary Wilson scored 21, before both batsmen fell to Gayle's off-spin. Irish captain William Porterfield was dismissed off the first ball of the match for the second time in a row, bowled by Fidel Edwards. He had also fallen to Australian Shane Watson's first delivery in Ireland's previous match last week. The West Indies, which had lost to Australia in a rain-affected match, endured another wet outing as rain lashed the ground during the innings break. Saqlain helping Bangladesh Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim said feedback from former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq will help counter Saeed Ajmal in their do-or-die clash against Pakistan Tuesday. Bangladesh needs a big win over the 2009 champion in its final Group D match to advance to the Super Eights round, but Ajmal's danger looms large after the off-spinner took 4-30 in Pakistan's 13-run win over New Zealand Sunday. New Zealand, which has already qualified for Super Eights, beat Bangladesh by 59 runs in the opening group match. The top two teams from the group qualify for the Super Eights. Saqlain regarded as the inventor of “Doosra” — off-spinner's stock delivery which turns the other way and is mastered by Ajmal — is currently serving as Bangladesh's bowling coach. “Ajmal is a world class bowler, but we have taken help from Saqlain who is very experienced but we have to execute our plans on the field and it's a do-or-die match for us but Pakistan is not unbeatable if we play well,” said Rahim. Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez said he feels blessed with a varied bowling attack, led by Ajmal. Hafeez, however, said Bangladesh will not be taken lightly. — Agencies
