Ireland and Scotland suffer setbacks

Afghanistan opener Noor Ali's 42 helped set up a 13-run win over Ireland in Dubai

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Ireland and Scotland face a tough task to reach this spring’s ICC World Twenty20 after losing their opening matches of the qualifying tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

Ireland, who reached the Super Eight stages of last year’s competition in England, lost to Afghanistan by 13 runs in Dubai.

Opener Noor Ali’s 42 and Mohammad Nabi’s unbeaten 43 helped Afghanistan post 139 for eight and off-spinner Karim Sadiq’s 3-17 in three overs overpowered Ireland, for whom captain Will Porterfield top-scored with 35.

Scotland, who qualified for last year’s tournament, came unstuck against USA, going down by six wickets in Abu Dhabi.

Captain Gavin Hamilton led the way with 41 in his side’s 120 for seven, but opener Carl Wright’s 61 and Lennox Cush’s 41 set up victory with five balls to spare.

Ireland and Scotland, who meet on Thursday, must win their last two Group A games to stand a chance of progressing to the Super Four stage, where the top two qualify for the competition proper.

In Group B today, Bas Zuiderent’s 43 not out saw Holland to a six-wicket win with five balls to spare against Canada in Dubai.

Meanwhile, UAE beat Kenya by 15 runs in Abu Dhabi, thanks primarily to 59 from opener Arfan Haider.