Ireland’s second attempt to qualify for the Cricket World Cup kicks off in Zimbabwe tomorrow. And while the eyes of the cricketing world are on the pinnacle Test event, this tournament is certainly a pinnacle of the summer for Heinrich Malan’s team.

"I've played in these tournaments before”, says captain Andrew Balbirnie. “It's really cut-throat. If you don't turn up for a couple of games, your qualifying tournament is over. So the guys need to be switched on.”

Cut-throat it certainly is – two groups of five, with the top three in each into a SuperSixes round. They will vie for the two golden tickets to India, with a final match to decide the pecking order. It’s not straightforward, however, with Ireland facing Sri Lanka in the first phase, and associate hotshots Scotland, Oman and UAE. And waiting in the other half are West Indies, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Nepal and USA.

The chances of a dark horse are lessened as Scotland and the Dutch are missing their county-based players, but the hosts, West Indies and Sri Lanka will be a stern test for Ireland.

Paceman Josh Little is back, but his light bowling load – just 77 overs since the Zimbabwe tour in January – will make supporters nervous as to his fitness to survive eight 50-over games in three weeks.

IRELAND’S matches – tomorrow: v Oman; Wednesday v Scotland; Sunday v Sri Lanka; Tuesday v UAE. All games 8am. Ireland v Scotland and Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports.