Kenya have qualified for the finals of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup by beating Bermuda on bonus points after settling for a draw earlier on Tuesday.

The Kenyans will now play Ireland in the finals which starts Thursday in Windhoekl, Namibia, according to the Daily Nation, one of Kenya's leading newspapers.

Kenya drew with Bermuda in their semi-final match but proceeded on bonus points, having collected 16.5 while their opponents had only 12 points.

Earlier this week, Ireland had defeated United Arab Emirates and secured a place in the finals.

Victory in this year's ICC Intercontinental Cup is vital to the future of Kenyan cricket, according to its chairman Samir Inamdar.

"Winning this tournament is a key point for us. If we win it will ensure we are taken seriously as the best country playing cricket outside the full members of the ICC," said Inamdar.

The Intercontinental Cup is a cricket tournament organized by the ICC as part of its cricket development program.

The inaugural ICC Intercontinental Cup was completed on November 22, 2004, when Scotland won the title in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Scotland beat Canada by an innings and 84 runs in the final.

The competition included 12 teams, divided by geographical region into four groups of three.

Source: Xinhua