Ireland's cricketers have been grouped with Scotland, Afghanistan and the USA for the ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers which take place in the United Arab Emirates from 9-13 February, writes RTÉ Sport's John Kenny.

Both finalists from the event will earn a place at the ICC World Twenty20 2010 to be staged in the West Indies.

Kenya, the Netherlands, Canada and the UAE are in Group B, with the winner of the tournament joining South Africa and India in Group C in the finals which is in Barbados.

The losing finalist will join Group D, which includes England and the West Indies, whose group matches are in Guyana.

The top two from each section will meet in the Super Four stage. A total of 17 matches will be played over five days with Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium hosting six group stage matches and Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Dubai Sports City staging 11 games, including six group stage matches, four Super Four matches and the final itself.

Ireland are the top seeds, with the Dutch ranked number two.

Phil Simmons' side played in the last Twenty20 finals which took place in England, where Ireland beat Bangladesh to reach the Super 8s.