The West Indies advanced to next year’s ICC World Cup after beating a heartbroken Scotland by five runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method in their final qualifying game at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
Defending a small total of 199, the two time world champions had Scotland at 125 for 5 with 14.4 overs remaining when rains chased the players off the field.
Kemar Roach (2-20) and Ashley Nurse (2-35) played critical roles in keeping the pressure on the Scots.
George Munsey was carrying the fight with an unbeaten 32 while Richie Berrington was the top batsman with 33 before he was controversially given out lbw off the bowling of Nurse.
Earlier the Windies were dismissed for 198 in 48.4 overs in what was their final Super Six round.
They were led by a top-score of 66 by opener Evin Lewis while Marlon Samuels struck 51 to record his second straight half century.
Carlos Brathwaite (24), Rovman Powell (14) and captain Jason Holder (12) were the only others in double figures.
Hard hitting opener Chris Gayle’s miserable run continued when he was dismissed for a first ball duck, Shai Hope was also removed without scoring.
Safyaan Shaif (3-27) and Brad Wheal (3-34) led Scotland’s bowling attack.
WEST INDIES QUALIFY FOR #CWC19!
Rain forces the end of play in Harare, Scotland are beaten by 5 runs (DLS Method).#WIvSCO scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/aqWLCpMy5n pic.twitter.com/YXlGZA7pBh
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 21, 2018
The last available World Cup spot will be up for grabs over the next two days. Zimbabwe will get that spot providing they secure a win over the United Arab Emirates
However a win for the UAE over Zimbabwe would see the Ireland vs Afghanistan on Friday becoming a knockout game, with the winner qualifying for next year’s showpiece event in England.
In the latter scenario, the second World Cup spot could come down to which of the two sides ends up with the better net run rate.