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SHARJAH: Ireland and Afghanistan won their groups in the qualifiers on Sunday to qualify for next years World Twenty20 cricket tournament.

Ireland stayed unbeaten in Group A with 13 points after beating Hong Kong by 85 runs at Abu Dhabi in its last group match on Sunday.

Afghanistan finished with a 34-run win over Kenya at Sharjah to top Group B with 12 points, losing only to the Netherlands in its opening match.

Group winners automatically qualify for the 2014 tournament in Bangladesh while the remaining four places will be decided after playoffs.

It will be Irelands fourth successive World Twenty20 after it also qualified for the 2009, 10 and 12 tournaments.

Afghanistan will make its third appearance, having played in 2010 and 12.Despite its defeat against Ireland on Sunday, Hong Kong could also qualify if it beats Nepal in the playoffs on Wednesday.

In the other playoff, United Arab Emirates face the Netherlands for a ticket to Bangladesh.

Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and Italy are the other teams in contention. (AP)

 

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