Pakistan and South Africa earn World Cup spots

South Africa 108 for 3 (Anderson 46*) beat Ireland 107 (C Joyce 43*) by seven wickets
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	Alicia Smith claimed two wickets against Ireland, including Isobel Joyce for a duck © ICC

South Africa secured their place in the 2009 Women's World Cup after overpowering Ireland by seven wickets. South Africa have been a cut above the other teams seen in the tournament and proved too powerful as they knocked off the target with more than 22 overs to spare.

"We're really relieved and very happy to have pulled it off," captain Cri-Zelda Brits said. "The team haven't let me down since I've taken over the captaincy and we've stuck at it and come to the party at this event with the bowling."

The victory was set-up by another impressive bowling performance. Ireland suffered an early setback when Isobel Joyce was caught behind for 0 and the innings never got off the ground. Sunette Loubser produced another miserly spell of offspin and claimed two middle-order scalps while sharp fielding engineered three run outs.

Cecelia Joyce fought hard and carried her bat with a determined 43, however the fact it took 143 deliveries show how difficult it was for the Irish.

Isobel Joyce caused a few early alarms in South Africa's chase with two wickets but there wasn't enough firepower to seriously trouble the home side. Olivia Anderson anchored the innings and the job was finished off in rapid fashion by Annelie Minnie's breezy 27.

Ireland captain Heather Whelan said: "I think everybody is absolutely gutted. We trained so hard for so long for this in order to try to go to the World Cup in Australia but it's not going to be.

"We're not going to the World Cup but we will battle on and we'll be here again in four years looking for a place in the World Cup and we expect to make it next time."

Pakistan 162 (Bismah 45, Egging 3-23) beat Netherlands 68 (Tanke 41, Sajida 3-14) by 94 runs
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A superb performance from Pakistan's bowlers, dismissing Netherlands for just 68, handed their team a fine 94-run win and entry into the 2009 World Cup.

Pakistan's meagre total of 162 was set up by their openers, Tasqeen Qadeer and Bismah Maroof, who put on 79 for the opening wicket. But Netherlands' bowlers hit back, prompting a collapse in which Pakistan lost 9 for 83 in 25 overs. Bismah Maroof top-scored with 45 from 77 balls but, after her and Tasqueen (27), only Sana Javed reached double figures as the lower-order capitulated to Lotte Egging's medium-pacers.

A target of 163, however, proved more than enough. Violet Wattenberg fell to the second ball of Netherlands' chase, edging Asmavia Iqbal straight to slip, while Helmien Rambaldo was bowled by Qanita Jalil to leave them on 0 for 2. Annemarie Tanke cracked five fours in her brave 41 from 70 balls and Caroline de Fouw remained unbeaten on a defiant 11 (from 44 balls), but there was little else from Netherlands' lower order who were skittled for 68 in the 32nd over.

"It's an absolutely awesome feeling. I can't tell you how amazing it feels," said Urooj Mumtaz, the Pakistan captain. "That was the task we came here to do and I think we pulled off a great win. We are very excited to be going to the World Cup.

"Every single girl did their job on and off the field. In fielding, batting and bowling, everybody did their task - it was an absolutely brilliant performance."

Pakistan meet South Africa - who beat Ireland in the other semi-final today - for the tournament's final on Sunday.

5th place play-off semi-finals
In the battle for the remaining places, Scotland overcame Papua New Guinea by four wickets to move into the play-off final and Zimbabwe outclassed Bermuda, who have been embarrassingly out of their depth throughout the tournament, by 125 runs.