Ireland remained on course for a place at the 2012 World Twenty20 finals after cruising to a seven-wicket win over the Netherlands in Dubai on Friday.

Ireland’s prize for this preliminary final win is a date with Namibia on Saturday, with the winner of that match joining already qualified Afghanistan in the showpiece in Sri Lanka from September 18 to October 7.

Victory for Ireland or Namibia will see them go into Group A with England and India.

Captained by William Porterfield, the Irish comfortably reached the target of 7-114 set by the Dutch with 20 balls to spare.

Kevin O’Brien claimed 2-17, before completing the chase with an unbeaten 30 from 22 balls.

The winners of Saturday’s clash will also go on to meet Afghanistan in the final of this qualifying tournament.

Afghanistan reached their second successive Twenty20 finals with a 47-run win over Namibia on Thursday.