Cricket: Afghanistan reach finals

Afghanistan's fairytale story continued yesterday as they defeated hosts United Arab Emirates to reach their first major cricket tournament, the World Twenty20 finals in the West Indies which run from April 30 to May 16.

Ireland took the other remaining ticket on offer to the Caribbean by beating the Netherlands by 65 runs.

Afghanistan and Ireland meet in Saturday's final with the winner joining India and South Africa in Group C in the finals while the runner-up will play their Group D matches in Guyana against the West Indies and England.