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Cape Town - Ireland's trip to the World Twenty20 in India ended in one more disappointment as they lost to the Netherlands by 12 runs in Dharamsala, with rain shortening the match to six overs per side.
It was the first six-over match in T20 internationals, and the Dutch were the superior side by far. They scored 59 for five in their six overs, and then reduced Ireland to 47 for seven. Neither side will advance to the Super 10s.
After a delay of nearly three hours, with Ireland winning the toss and opting to field before the rain arrived, the players rushed onto the field for their 12-over game.
Ireland spinner George Dockrell was quite excellent, taking three wickets for seven runs in his two overs, while Stephan Myburgh was Holland's star, making 27 of the 59 runs.
He was one of only two players to reach double figures as Ireland did well to take regular wickets. The other was Peter Borren, who ended on 14 not out, watching as two team-mates were run out in the last over.
Ireland's chase actually started quite well as they kept pace with the required run rate for the first three overs. But the loss of a clump of wickets, with three Dutch bowlers sitting on hat-tricks at various points, doomed them.
The surprise package was paceman Paul van Meekeren, who took four wickets for 11 runs. He took two wickets in two balls twice, once in the third over and again in the sixth. Roelof van der Merwe did so in the fourth over.
As such, two sides who were expected to compete well for the spot in the Super 10s were both sent home early.
