South Africa secured direct qualification for the 50-over Cricket World Cup in India after the first one-day international between Ireland and Bangladesh was washout.

Ireland had to win all three matches in a series against Bangladesh taking place at Chelmsford, if they were to move up from 11th place in the points table.

Now even if Ireland now take the series 2-0, they cannot surpass South Africa in eighth place in the World Cup Super League standings.

Ireland will now have to compete in the June 18-July 9 qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe, that also includes former champions West Indies and Sri Lanka.

The Irish were 65-3 in the 17th over, chasing Bangladesh's 246-9, made from a full 50 overs, when bad light and rain halted play.

A minimum of 20 overs had to be bowled in Ireland's innings for a result to be declared under the D/L method for rain-affected matches.

But eventually the fixture was called off when the umpires deemed conditions too wet to restart play.