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29 March 2024

Afghanistan book ICC Cricket World Cup spot for 2015

Afghanistan players celebrate the fall of a wicket during their second ODI against Kenya at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. (ICC/Saleem Sanghati)

Published
By Agencies

Afghanistan will he heading to Australia and New Zealand in 2015 after qualifying for their maiden 50-over World Cup by finishing second in the World Cricket League Championship on Friday.

The war-torn country beat Kenya by seven wickets at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium to join Ireland as the second Associate team in the February 14-March 29 tournament.

Opting to field after winning the toss, Afghanistan, who have played in the last two Twenty20 World Cups, bundled out Kenya for 93 and romped home with seven wickets to spare.

It was a dream come true for captain Mohammad Nabi, who shone for his team with his two wickets for 10 runs and an unbeaten 46.

"I can't express my feelings. It is a very big day in my life. I'm sure there will be huge celebrations back home," Nabi told the International Cricket Council (ICC) website.

"I'm happy for the people of Afghanistan and look forward to playing in Australia and New Zealand.

"I didn't expect to play in a World Cup when I started playing cricket. But now I can cherish this moment and look forward to playing against the best sides in some of the best playing facilities.

"Playing in a World Cup will be one grade up and we'll try to work hard and do better."

Afghanistan will be grouped in Pool A with Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and another qualifier.

Ireland, who won the Championship to become the first team to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 after the sixth round of the competition, is in Group B of the marquee event, joining defending champion India, 1992 champion Pakistan, South Africa, two-time champion West Indies, Zimbabwe and Qualifier 4. 

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson congratulated Afghanistan on their success and said they would prove to be a thorn in the side of the more established teams.

"Afghanistan's journey has been a remarkable one," Richardson said. "It started in World Cricket League division five in 2008, and will now make its maiden appearance at the ICC's flagship 50-over event.

"Afghanistan is a talented team who will prove a competitive opponent for any team that comes up against it.

“Afghanistan’s rapid rise is a feather in the cap for the ICC’s Global Development Programme. The World Cricket League Championship has proven a great success, providing meaningful context for Associate and Affiliate cricket and a fantastic pathway for all teams to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

He added: “Well done also to the remaining six sides in the Championship, who have competed well over the two years of this competition. They will now have a second opportunity to qualify, alongside Hong Kong, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Uganda, at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2014 in New Zealand, and I wish all ten sides the best of luck.”

It has been a remarkable journey for Afghanistan which was playing in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 5 in 2008. In 2010, it qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 West Indies 2010 by winning the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2010. It then finished second to Ireland in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2012, to qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012.

Afghanistan also played in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2010 in New Zealand and the 2012 edition in Australia.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Kabir Khan, the coach of Afghanistan, is hoping his team get experience of playing the top sides before the World Cup.

"I'm expecting a great response in Australia and New Zealand," Kabir said.

"The big teams will like to punish us but we'll prepare as best as we can and try to show the world what we're capable us.

"I would like to play more against the full member countries in the lead-up to the World Cup.

"I'm expecting that our neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, India and Pakistan will play some matches against us and help us prepare for our biggest tournament."

Afghanistan will play its opening match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 against Bangladesh at Manuka Oval, Canberra, on February 18, while its other matches will be against Sri Lanka (February 22, Dunedin), Qualifier 3 (February 26, Dunedin), Australia (March 4, Perth), New Zealand (March 8, Napier) and England (March 13, Sydney).

India won the last 50-over World Cup at home in 2011. The remaining two associate places for 2015 will be decided by a qualifying tournament in New Zealand next year.

Brief scores


Kenya 93 all out in 43.3 overs (Morris Ouma 39, Rakep Patel 18; Hamza Hotak 3-19, Karim Sadiq 2-10, Mohammad Nabi 2-10, Hamid Hassan 2-11)

Afghanistan 96-3 in 20.5 overs (Mohammad Nabi 46 not out, Nawroz Mangal 19, Hashmatullah Shaidi 13 not out; Shem Ngoche 2-30)