World Cup dream still alive for Afghanistan

Johannesburg:

Afghanistan coach Kabir Khan believes his 'miracle men' can defy daunting odds again and snatch a place at the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

"Qualifying will be very difficult as we will probably have to win all four games," he admitted on Wednesday after his heroes secured a place in the Super 8 second phase of the World Cup Qualifier tournament in South Africa.

"But that dream is deep inside me. Anything can happen and we have not given up hope. We do not know how to give up hope," said the man who represented Pakistan at Test and ODI level a decade ago.

"We have learnt lessons from mistakes made against other teams, especially better ones like Kenya and the Netherlands, and we will carry that experience into the Super 8 competition.

"Our first target was getting into the Super 8 and now we have set our sights on a top-six finish because that will bring ODI status for four years. We came from division five and are delighted with the progress we are making.

"Bermuda played in the last World Cup and we have left them behind as well as two sides, Denmark and Oman, who were three divisions above us when the qualifying process began," he noted.

Afghanistan were division five cricket non entities a year ago, but Khan inspired his warriors to win qualifying tournaments in Jersey, Tanzania and Argentina and reach the final elimination stage in South Africa.

The young Afghans, whose skills were honed in Pakistan refugee camps after fleeing violence in their war-torn nation, lost their final Group B match to the United Arab Emirates by five wickets.

It followed losses to Kenya and the Netherlands and left them precariously placed on four points, but Bermuda failed to take advantage as they suffered a 63-run loss to the Dutch.

However, a major blow to the cinderella side of the 12-nation Qualifier is that only points gained against fellow qualifiers are carried forward to the Super 8 so they start pointless, six adrift of table-toppers Ireland.

Afghanistan faced UAE in Vanderbijlpark south of Johannesburg without key figure Karim Sadiq, a 25-year-old wicketkeeper who can wreak havoc with the bat.

He was suspended for one match after attempting to trip a Dutch batsman last Saturday and will be available for the opening Super 8 fixture against Ireland in Krugersdorp on Saturday.

In his absence only Asghar Stanikzai (69) and skipper Nowroz Mangal (46) made significant contributions with the bat as the Afghans reached 251-8 in their alloted 50 overs, a total UAE passed with 22 balls to spare.

Ireland, shock conquerors of Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup, cruised to a seven-wicket win over Namibia and maintained the only 100 percent record with defending champions Scotland among earlier victims.

The Scots suffered a 148-run loss to Canada on Wednesday and will do well to finish among the top four and secure a place at the World Cup in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Scotland face the Emirates in Johannesburg on Saturday and the other matches pit Namibia against the Netherlands in Pretoria and Canada against Kenya in Benoni.