DUBAI — Afghanistan reached their its successive World Twenty20 Sunday to complete a memorable year, which also saw the war-hit nation break through to a maiden World Cup. Also securing its place at the World T20 tournament Sunday was Ireland, which downed Hong Kong by 85 runs in Abu Dhabi for its seventh qualifying win. Afghanistan defeated Kenya by 34 runs in Sharjah to give the Asian side its sixth win in seven matches. Both Ireland and Afghanistan now top their respective groups to earn automatic qualification to the finals in Bangladesh next year. For Ireland this will be a fourth successive appearance after it played in the 2009, 2010 and 2012 tournaments. There are still four places to be decided for the March 16-April 6 event. Bangladesh match-fixing hearing underway In Dhaka, a hearing was underway in Bangladesh Sunday against nine cricketers and officials charged with match-fixing offenses involving the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), officials said. The disciplinary hearing convened by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) involves seven people charged with match-fixing including former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful, who made a tearful confession on national television earlier this year. Two players including English all-rounder Darren Stevens have also been charged with failing to report corrupt approaches made to them to fix matches in the 2013 edition of the BPL, a Twenty20 competition. “The trial has started today,” BCB chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury said. None of the players was present for the closed-door hearing, which is being led by a former Supreme Court judge, and follows an investigation by the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption officials. Lawyers are representing the officials and players who all face suspension from the BPL and from international cricket if found guilty of fixing or failing to report an approach about fixing. Of the nine people, who have not been publicly named by officials, seven have been charged with match-fixing offenses, and two others with failing to comply with their obligation to report corrupt approaches that were made to them. — Agencies
