Ireland’s game against Italy was abandoned here today without a ball bowled. Heavy overnight rain left the pitch unplayable after attempts to dry it were thwarted by another spell of rain just prior to the final inspection at 8 30 am Irish time. It normally only rains on 8 days a year in the UAE but last night saw the heaviest deluge in a decade.

An abandoned match means that each team get one point. This leaves Ireland one point ahead of Hong Kong with both sides having played 5 games out of the scheduled seven in the group stage. Similar weather is forecast for tomorrow. Today’s result reduces Ireland’s margin for error and they may have to beat Hong Kong on Sunday to win the group and qualify for Bangladesh automatically without having to go through the play off process.

Ireland are due to play Uganda tomorrow at 10am Irish time and would expect to have a comfortable win and in the process improve their run rate which could yet be crucial in determining who wins the group. It would be a major disappointment if the weather deprived Ireland of this opportunity as they are the best team in the tournament by some distance.

Main image: Ireland's Gary Wilson against UAE ©2013 IDI/Getty Images