DUBLIN — Oman's fairytale rise as a cricket nation continued Thursday when it qualified for next year's World Twenty20 in India. A five-wicket win over Namibia at the ICC qualifying event in Malahide near Dublin saw the Gulf minnow reach it first major international tournament. Victory also saw the International Cricket Council grant Oman, coached by former Sri Lanka captain Duleep Mendis, and with ex-England all-rounder Derek Pringle recently recruited as a technical advisor, full Twenty20 status. Oman had previously beaten Canada, the Netherlands and Afghanistan, all far more experienced associate or non-Test cricket nations, at the qualifying tournament. Afghanistan sealed the other qualifying spot on offer Thursday with a six-wicket win over Papua New Guinea. It was the fourth successive time that Afghanistan — which competed at this year's 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand — had qualified for the World Twenty20. The 16 teams who will compete in the finals phase of the World Twenty20 are the 10 Test sides, plus qualifiers Scotland, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Afghanistan and Oman. Play washed out Rain washed out the fourth day's play in the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa Friday. Match officials at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong called off play at 1:25 p.m. (0725 GMT). South Africa, which made 248 in the first innings, bowled out Bangladesh for 326 and reached 61-0 in its second knock when bad light forced an early stumps with 24.5 overs left to be bowled on the third day. Openers Stiaan van Zyl and Dean Elgar were on 33 and 28 runs respectively, whittling down Bangladesh's first innings lead to 17. — Agencies
