DUBAI, United Arab Emirates,  CMC – War torn Afghanistan and minnows Ireland, coached by former West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons, will do battle in the World Twenty20 Championship in the Caribbean later this year after reaching the final of the ICC qualifying tournament yesterday.

Afghanistan beat the United Arab Emirates by four wickets while Ireland easily dismissed the Netherlands by 65 runs in the final matches of the Super Four stage played at the Dubai International Stadium.

While it will be the second time Ireland will be competing in the World T20 Championship, the Afghans will be making their debut at a major ICC tournament.

The winner of today’s final will join India and South Africa in Group C of the April 30 to May 16 tournament, with the loser clashing with West Indies and England in Group D.

Afghanistan’s achievement is a remarkable one considering the country has been  embroiled in a war and the cricket side was campaigning in the lower divisions of the ICC World Cricket League as recent as 2008.

Asked to bowl first in the crucial game, the Afghans did well to restrict the UAE to a paltry 100 for nine off their allotted 20 overs, with off-spinner Mohammed Nabi taking three for 17.

Noor Ali then top-scored with an unbeaten 38 as Afghanistan reached 101 for six with three balls to spare.

Ireland, meanwhile, booked their return to the Caribbean following the 2007 Cricket World Cup when they tallied 151 for six from 20 overs with right-hander Alex Cusack stroking 65.

The Netherlands were undermined in their run chase by left-arm spinner George Dockrell who grabbed four for 20 as the Dutch were bundled out for 86 in 15.3 overs.

Simmons, who played 26 Tests and 143 One-Day International between 1987 and 1999, took over as Ireland coach three years ago.