Ireland defeated Afghanistan by five wickets in the final of the World Twenty20 qualifying tournament on Saturday, in a battle between two sides who had already booked their places at the global showpiece in Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan, who had won all eight matches at the qualifiers going into the final, were restricted to 152 for seven off their 20 overs before the Irish reached their target with seven balls to spare.

Ireland will now be placed in the same pool as Australia and the West Indies in the finals, to be played in September and October, while Afghanistan will face defending champions England and India.