Afghans find way to ACC U-19 World Cup

KABUL trounced hosts Malaysia in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-19 Elite Cup semifinal on Friday, qualifying for next year’s extravaganza.

Afghanistan Cricket Board spokesman Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News the national team, asked to bat first, posted a 233-run total in the stipulated 50 overs in the first semi-final encounter.  

Shahidullah Shahidi once again shone with the willow for his side, playing a superb knock of 68 runs, followed by Munir Ahmad with 53. Mangal hit 25 and Shahidullah Shafaq 23.

The hosts were bundled out for a mere 93, conceding the Afghans a massive 140-run victory, Hotak said, praising Syed Sherzad and Ziaur Rahman for their fiery bowling spells. Both took two wickets each.

Shahidi, who also captured a wicket, was declared the Man of the Match in recognition of his sturdy all-round performance that saw Afghanistan qualifying for the U-19 world Cup, the ACB spokesman said.

This year’s ACC U-19 Elite Cup serves as a direct feeder to the ICC U-19 World Cup with the winner, or other finalist, as there is no other qualifying event in between. The UAE will host the event in February 2014.

In their previous Group-A matches of the 10-nation competition, Afghanistan downed Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Thailand.

The ICC U-19 World Cup was initially staged as a one-off event in Australia in 1988, but he tournament was restored a decade later in 1998. It has since been held once every two years. The UAE will stage the 10^th edition of the event, which India and Australia have won three times.

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