Netherlands prove too strong for Papua New Guinea

Netherlands cruised past Papua New Guinea by seven wickets in the final of the T20 World Cup qualifying tournament on Saturday with Ben Cooper and Brandon Glover starring with bat and ball.

Both the Dutch and PNG had already made sure of their places at next year's T20 World Cup in Australia along with Oman, Scotland, Namibia and Ireland with Saturday's game at Dubai International Stadium being played for classification purposes.

PNG struggled to 8-128 off their 20 overs with Glover taking 3-24 before the Dutch reached their target with six balls to spare after Cooper got the run chase going with 41 off 33 balls and Ryan ten Doeschate (34 no) added the finishing touches.

Earlier on Saturday, Ireland eased to a 27-run victory over Namibia to finish third at the tournament.

Defeat to the Netherlands on Friday meant Ireland were forced to contest the third place playoff.

Ireland failed to bat out their 20 overs, having elected to bat first, as they were bowled out for 135 with five balls remaining of their innings.

Andrew Balbirnie top-scored with 46 from 35 as Ireland posted a total that proved out of Namibia's reach.

Spinner Simi Singh claimed 3-25, while Mark Adair, Gareth Delany and Boyd Rankin took two wickets apiece to bowl Namibia out for 108 in 18.2 overs.

Papua New Guinea, Ireland and Oman will join Sri Lanka in Group A of next year's tournament, while the Netherlands, Namibia and Scotland will face Bangladesh in Group B.

The two highest finishes from that group stage will then join Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, India, England, South Africa and Afghanistan in the Super 12s stage of the tournament.