With three from the last four in Malaysia guaranteed a place in the 1999 finals in England, it would make commercial sense and be a good development move for the organisers to offer group games on home soil to the qualifiers.

The Irish, while not counting chickens, would certainly like to hold World Cup games - they are also bidding to hold the next ICC Trophy - but the Scots at this stage have been insisting it is England's event.

The 1997 ICC Trophy is fast becoming Scotland's tournament, as they ran hot favourites Kenya closer than anyone before, losing on run-rate in their final quarter-final group match.

Iain Beven and Scott Gourlay took three wickets apiece to dismiss the Kenyans for 153 and the Scots had seen off 10 overs from the outstanding Martin Suji when a storm ended their reply on 37 for three after 23 overs.

Ireland, who benefited from the rain in their two previous matches, played through to beat Hong Kong by 51 runs.

Their coach Mike Hendrick was pleased to see Angus Dunlop return to form with 54 from 61 balls, but the former England bowler was far from happy with his seam attack, who delivered a total of 28 wides in Hong Kong's 172 all out.

No one could deny Bangladesh their right to a last four place after they overcame the odds to beat Holland in a rain-affected game.

The Dutch had been dismissed for 171 before rain halted the Bangladesh reply at 56 for four in the 19th over. Set a revised target of 141 from 33 overs, which very much favoured Holland, Bangladesh were indebted to Akram Khan's 67 not out to get them home with eight balls to spare.

The likelihood is that Ireland and Scotland will play each other in the third place play-off next Thursday for one World Cup place.

Both countries have already been guaranteed a slot in the Commonwealth Games in the city next September, assuming Ireland, as Northern Ireland, take up their eligibility. Most players are from the north.