Afghanistan create history, qualify for 2015 World Cup
The Afghanistan national cricket team made history on Friday as they beat Kenya by 7 wickets in Sharjah to qualify for their first-ever Cricket World Cup in 2015.
Afghanistan took on Kenya in match number 56 of the ICC World Cricket League Championship in Sharjah. The Afghans had to beat Kenya to secure a berth in the 2015 World Cup. Afghan fans came out in large numbers in the iconic stadium.
Kenya batsmen Irfan Karim and Gurdeep Singh came out to open the batting against a spirited Afghan side that beat them in the previous encounter two days ago. The Kenyan top order never felt at ease against the Afghanistan bowlers who bowled with heart.
It was snail-pace going for Kenyan batsman as Afghanistan stifled the run-scoring. Kenyans lost their third wicket in the 17th over, when the score was just 17.
Afghanistan spinner Karim Sadiq (celebrating in center) took 2 wickets for 10 runs in his seven overs.
Afghanistan skipper Mohammad Nabi, with his off spin, was meagre as well as successful, taking 2 for 10 in his 8.3 overs. Kenya were bowled out for 93 in 43.3 overs. Nabi later smashed an unbeaten 46 off 42 balls in the Afghanistan chase.
As the Afghans reached the 94-run target, there was jubilation amongst the fans, who had come out in large numbers at the Sharjah cricket stadium on Friday.
Afghanistan will now face the big boys of world cricket - Australia, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - in the Pool A of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.