By IANS
Belfast : Ireland defeated Scotland by six wickets to qualify for their third straight under-19 cricket world cup here.
Chasing a reduced target of 150 in 32 overs, Ireland were anchored by an unbeaten 76 from Ben Ackland after Scotland had scored 157 in 34 overs in the rain-affected final Thursday.
Ireland join hosts Malaysia, East-Asia Pacific champions Papua New Guinea and the 10 Test-playing nations for the under-19 world to be played in Kuala Lumpur from Feb 17 to March 2, 2008, the International Cricket Council said in a statement Friday.
The remaining three qualifiers from America, Asia and Africa will be decided in their respective qualifying tournaments next month to complete the 16 teams for the tournament.
Ireland captain Greg Thompson, who will be playing his third under-19 World Cup, said: "The seniors made the country proud in the World Cup in the West Indies which, of course, was a huge motivation for all of us. At the junior level we have been winning all the European titles."
Ireland has played in the 1998 (South Africa), 2000 (Sri Lanka), 2004 (Bangladesh) and 2006 (Sri Lanka) under-19 World Cups. Scotland broke their qualifying run when they made the grade in 2002 (New Zealand).