Ireland's 100 per cent record in the ICC World Twenty20 qualifying was ended by the weather as their meeting with Italy was washed out without a ball being bowled.

Having beaten the United States by 75 runs on Wednesday, confidence was high in the Ireland camp ahead of the Abu Dhabi meeting.

Heavy rain put paid to that, though, leaving the sides to take a point each. Ireland are still top of the group, one point ahead of Hong Kong.

Wins from their last two games, against Uganda on Friday and then Hong Kong on Sunday, will see Ireland into the semi-finals as group winners.