Cricket:Roared all the way by a 6,000-strong crowd that sounded like ten times that number, Afghanistan tonight beat Ireland by eight wickets to win the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Both teams had earlier claimed the two spots on offer at the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean in May, but the Afghans emphatic victory, their second over Ireland in the tournament, means they take the top qualifier spot.
They will take the final spot in Group C alongside India and South Africa and play their games in St Lucia and Barbados..
Ireland head back to Guyana, where they opened their Super Eights campaign at the 2007 World Cup, to take on hosts West Indies and an England team which is likely to contain former Irish star Eoin Morgan.
Both games will take place at Providence Stadium in the South American Caribbean state, taking on the Windies in a day/night game on Friday, April 30th, before facing England on Tuesday, May 4th.
A tired Ireland side were no match for the Afghans tonight after facing a one-hour turnaround after clinching their World Cup slot with a comprehensive 65-win over the Netherlands in the afternoon.
Phil Simmons's side made a decent score of 142 for eight in their 20 overs, with Niall O'Brien and Alex Cusack both making 28 and skipper William Porterfield 20 off 15 balls.
But there was to be no stopping Afghanistan as their supporters roared and danced to every run as they chased down their target with 15 balls to spare.
Wicket-keeper Mohammad Shahzad finished unbeaten on 65 from 46 balls and hit the winning six off Peter Connell, while skipper Nowroz Mangal was unbeaten on 21.
Earlier, Alex Cusack proved he is an all-rounder of true class as his innings of 65 from 44 balls back-boned Ireland's total of 151 for six from their 20 overs against the Dutch.
The Clontarf player may be the quiet man of the squad but his bat did all the talking after he came to the wicket following the early departure of skipper Porterfield in the second over.
Rotating the strike nicely with Niall O'Brien, Cusack also opened his shoulders on occasion, hitting three big sixes and three fours in his knock before an outstanding catch from Daan van Bunge.
Gary Wilson continued his fine tournament hitting 29 from 23 balls, while John Mooney (17no) and Andrew White (14no) helped Ireland to a total well above par for the pitch.
Ireland knew they had to get amongst the Dutch big-hitters and they got the dream start yet again as Peter Connell took two wickets in his first over, the fourth straight time two have fallen in the first over this week.
Trent Johnston wasn't going to miss out on the party and his final over saw the former skipper take two for himself as the Dutch were reduced to 44 for four at the end of the eighth over.
Left-arm spinner George Dockrell struck with his first ball as Van Bunge was stumped by Niall O'Brien and the 17-year-old would go on to take his second four-wicket haul in just his ninth international.
His finished with figures of four for 20 and Andre Botha took two late wickets, but it was Cusack who took the man of the match award for the second game in a row.
ICC WORLD TWENTY20 QUALIFIER FINAL
Ireland 142-8 (20 ovs) (N O'Brien 28, A Cusack 28, W Porterfield 20; N Mangal 3-23), Afghanistan 147-2 (17.3 ovs) (M Shahzad 65, K Sadiq 34, N Mangal 21no). Afghanistan won by 8 wkts.
SUPER FOUR
Ireland 151-6 (20 ovs)(A Cusack 65, G Wilson 29, J Mooney 17no; M Jonkman 2-21), Netherlands 86 (15.3 ovs) (R ten Doeschate 32; G Dockrell 4-20,T Johnston 2-14, A Botha 2-15, P Connell 2-23). Ireland won by 65 runs.
UAE 100-9 (20 ovs)(S Ali 24; M Nabi 3-17, M Ashraf 2-15, H Hassan 2-23), Afghanistan 101-6 (19.3 ovs) (N Ali 38no, A Stanikzai 26; E Silva 2-14, F Ahmed 2-14). Afghanistan won by 4 wkts.