The tournament came three months after the World Cup which saw Ireland beat the Test nations Pakistan and Bangladesh, and tie with Zimbabwe, gaining themselves a right to be ranked on the official ICC ODI Championship. Ranked two places below the West Indies, Ireland intended to justify their place in the table.
Following the World Cup, an international tournament took place three months later, where Ireland secured a spot in the ICC ODI Championship rankings by beating Pakistan and Bangladesh, and drawing with Zimbabwe. With the West Indies ranked first, Ireland sought to prove its worth in the standings.