Afghanistan upsets Ireland in World Cup qualifying

Johannesburg:

Afghanistan upset Ireland by 22 runs in qualifying for the 2011 World Cup on Saturday.

Ireland did well to keep Afghanistan to 218, but Hameed Hasan took 5-23 to help dismiss the Irish for 196 in the 48th over at Krugersdorp.

Hasan struck early by dismissing William Porterfield in the third over and then returned to bowl Andrew White (56) and Kevin O'Brien (52) in successive overs after they had taken Ireland from 73-5 to 186.

Hasan, who is considered the fastest bowler in the tournament, then polished off the tail as Ireland lost 5-10.

In other Super Eight action, Canada's Henry Osinde took the first four Kenyan wickets to steer Canada to a seven-wicket win.

Jan Stander's unbeaten 80 and John Blain's five wickets set up Scotland's 26-run win over Netherlands, and Namibia beat the United Arab Emirates by 49 runs.

In the semifinals for the playoff for ninth place, David Hemp scored an undefeated 124 and Steven Outerbridge 91 for Bermuda to beat Oman by eight wickets. Uganda defeated Denmark by 62 runs.