Bangladesh moved to the brink of direct qualification for the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup on Sunday, after West Indies were eliminated from automatic contention following Afghanistan's 92-run win over Ireland.
The result confirmed Afghanistan's own World Cup berth and ended West Indies' hopes of avoiding the qualifiers for a third straight edition.
West Indies, two-time world champions, also had to qualify for the 2019 and 2023 tournaments, missing the latter entirely.
Co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe qualify automatically for the 2027 tournament. The remaining teams in the top eight of the ICC ODI rankings by September 30 also advance directly.
Zimbabwe sit 11th but qualify as hosts, meaning the top nine ranked teams effectively secure direct spots.
Bangladesh are ninth with 83 rating points, six points clear of West Indies in tenth on 77 — a gap the Caribbean side is unlikely to close.
West Indies' faint hopes rest on beating India while Bangladesh drop points elsewhere — a scenario that appears increasingly unlikely.
India's white-ball tour of Bangladesh next month, already postponed twice, may be delayed further, sources say, which would leave Litton Das's side's points unaffected.
Even a series loss to India would not change the equation, with no further fixtures scheduled before the September 30 cut-off.
Ireland must also now go through qualifying, after failing to complete a required 5-0 home sweep over Afghanistan.