Afghanistan will contest a major cricket tournament for the first time after beating the United Arab Emirates by four wickets in Saturday's qualifier for the 2010 Twenty20 World Cup. The victory sent Afghanistan into the final of a qualifying tournament, where it will meet Ireland later on Saturday, although both sides are assured of spots in the World Cup in the West Indies in May.
Ireland beat the Netherlands by 65 runs in their semi-final. The winner of the final will join India and South Africa in Group C at the World Cup, while the loser will be in Group D alongside England and West Indies. The UAE was restricted to 100-9 by the Afghans, having slumped to 3-11 in a misfiring start before a spirited 24 from Saqib Ali helped revive the innings for the host nation.
Afghanistan also made a poor start, losing two wickets for 16 runs. But opening batsman Noor Ali and Nowroz Mangal sparked a revival that continued on to a victory total of 101 being clinched with three balls to spare. Ali finished unbeaten on 38, while Mangal, who added 14, and Asghar Stanikzai, who rattled up 26, were both caught by Qadar Nawaz off deliveries from Fayyaz Ahmed.
Victory in the 20-over match at Dubai Sports City came on the day coalition forces launched their biggest offensive since the 2001 US-led invasion in a bid to break the Taliban grip over a wide area of their southern heartland in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's ascent in world cricket has been rapid since gaining affiliate membership of the International Cricket Council in 2001. As recently as two years ago, Afghanistan was playing in the ICC World Cricket League Division 5.
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