Hi Ho All,

A hearty congrats to them and to the four nations that have qualified for the WC.

Of course the bad news for Afghanistan is, that like Kenya, The Netherlands, Canada and Ireland, basically all of the leading nations won't play them outside of the WC anyway. Makes you wonder what the point of it all is really.

Be that as it may, a hearty congrats to them indeed!

Cheers
Christopher

Saurabh Malhotra wrote:

Afghanistan achieve ODI status

Cricinfo staff

April 17, 2009

Ireland, Canada, Netherlands and Kenya have qualified for the 2011 World Cup, but the headlines will once again be stolen by Afghanistan who have secured ODI status with victory over Namibia

	Sandeep Jyoti top-scored for Canada but his team fell to a heavy defeat against Netherlands © Gallo Images

After a memorable three weeks where they have caught global attention, Afghanistan's 21-run win over Namibia in Pretoria earned them official ODI status but could not seal a spot at the World Cup as they could not beat Kenya's net run rate. Afghanistan chose to bat and made 243 for 7 thanks largely to Mohammad Shehzad's 73 and the captain Nowroz Mangal's 78. Nine bowlers were used and they did well in the field, but that 87-run partnership between Shehzad and Mangal proved decisive. Afghanistan came out determined to win and their new-ball attack of Shapoor Zadran and Hamid Hassan nipped out early wickets. Hassan finished an impressive tournament with 3 for 37, striking at the top, in the middle and at the tail, and received support from Zadran and Karim Khan. From 79 for 5 Namibia were resurrected somewhat thanks to Gerrie Snyman's 54 before Hassan and Karim hit back. After a remarkable year this win marked a commendable campaign by Afghanistan but now the challenge is to make the most of their four years of valuable funding and opportunity.

'It's a great achievement by the Afghan cricket team to qualify for ODI status with such scant resources and shows the determination and resourcefulness of the people," Dominic O'Reilly, UK Director of the charity Afghanaid, told Cricinfo. "Those of us who work in and for Afghanistan know there is much more to the country than the fighting we see on news bulletins and the cricketers have demonstrated that. While cricket is currently a minority sport in Afghanistan, I'm sure the team's success will boost interest and give everyone there a lift."

A splendid 167-run opening stand between Alexei Kervezee and Mudassar Bukhari made short work of Canada's 205 in Johannesburg and confirmed Netherlands will be at the 2011 World Cup and carry ODI status for four years. Kervezee (77) and Bukhari (84) led a confident reply to a target of 206 and though Netherlands wobbled after their stand was snapped in the 37th over, the cool hand of Bas Zuiderent was there when the winning runs were hit. The win was set up in the field thanks to a controlled bowling and fielding display. Bukhari and Eric Szwarczynski struck with the new ball and the pressure was maintained by Darron Reekers and Peter Borren. Only Sandeep Jyoti (46) and Umar Bhatti (39*) waged some resistance down the order but a target of 206 proved too easy for Netherlands.

Kenya bounced back from the humiliation of defeat to Namibia by beating Ireland in Pretoria and confirming their presence at the World Cup. Kenya needed to beat Ireland and did so, first keeping them to 208 and wrapping up the chase by six wickets with 12 balls in hand. At 83 for 3 in the 23rd over it was still anyone's game but the experienced Steve Tikolo hit a cool unbeaten 66 from 73 balls and sealed victory with Collins Obuya. Obuya was not out on 50 in a partnership worth 113. Niall O'Brien was the top-scorer with 59 during Ireland's innings. John Mooney (34), Andrew White (25), Kevin O'Brien (22) and William Porterfield (21) got starts without really pressing on. Tikolo was the most successful wicket-taker with 3 for 11. Ireland had already secured World Cup qualification but will be without Eoin Morgan for Sunday's game against Canada. Kenya finished third in the Super Eights.

For a report on Scotland's victory over UAE which meant they retained ODI status click here.

© Cricinfo

--
Saurabh Malhotra

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