1 Feb 2009

Afghanistan book place at cricket world cup qualifiers

1:32 pm on 1 February 2009

Afghanistan have booked their place in April's qualifying event for the 2011 World Cup after crushing

the Cayman Islands by 82 runs to finish top of the World Cricket League Division Three.

Uganda beat Argentina by 99 runs to secure the second ticket to the qualifying round which will take place in South Africa.

Papua New Guinea, who also finished with eight points, missed out on qualifying on run rate.

Afghanistan were only affiliated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001 and many of their players learnt the game as refugees living in Peshawar in neighbouring Pakistan.

In April's qualifier, Afghanistan and Uganda will join World League Division sides Kenya, Scotland, Netherlands, Canada, Ireland and Bermuda and Division Two outfits UAE, Oman, Namibia and Denmark and battle for the four places available at the 2011 World Cup.

The success in Argentina represents Afghanistan's third successive promotion.