Afghanistan Win ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers in Style

Afghanistan team with ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers trophy

Dubai: Riding on the crest of a wave that carried them through to the World Twenty20 earlier today, Afghanistan finished the qualifying tournament in style cantering to victory over Ireland in the final by eight wickets.

After the tension of the two 'semi final' matches that saw both teams secure their place in the Caribbean, the final had a festival air to it under the bright lights of the Dubai International Stadium.

With the crowd already in good cheer and the players' minds uncluttered by the pressure of needing a win, the Afghanistan batsmen blazed happily away at Ireland's total with Mohammad Shahzad guiding them home with a boundary-filled 65 that secured his team passage into Group C, alongside South Africa and India, in the main event in May.

There was a crowd of about 6,000 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the vast majority of whom extremely vocal in their support for Afghanistan, cheering every run scored or dot ball bowled, and screaming for boundaries and wickets.

In the end, Kabir Khan's men proved too strong again for Ireland, batting with great maturity and skill to knock off Ireland's competitive total of 146. Mohammad Shahzad finished unbeaten on 65 as Ireland failed to reproduce the bowling form that brought it through the Super Four stage unbeaten and ensured it qualified for its third global ICC event in succession.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, who presented the trophy to the winning captain, congratulated both teams on their qualification for the ICC World Twenty20.

"It is a great achievement for these teams to make it through to the West Indies," he said.

"The quality of cricket on display this week has been very high and the competition fierce so Afghanistan and Ireland can rightly feel proud of themselves tonight.

Brief scores
Ireland: 142 for 8 (Cusack 28, Nangal 3-23)
Afghanistan: 147 for 2 (Shahzad 65, Johnston 1-28)
Result: Afghanistan beat Ireland by eight wickets.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

Afghanistan Win ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers in Style [+]

Afghanistan finished the qualifying tournament in style cantering to victory over Ireland in the final by eight wickets.

Afghanistan Qualify for World Twenty20 2010 [+]

Afghanistan's fairytale story continued as they defeated hosts United Arab Emirates to reach their first major tournament, the World T20 finals in the West Indies which runs from April 30 to May 16.

Afghanistan Secure Second Win [+]

Afghanistan continued their seemingly inexorable march to the World Twenty20 with a 14-run win over Scotland at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

ICC Announces Officials for ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2010 [+]

The ICC has announced the match officials for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2010 which takes place in the United Arab Emirates from 9 to 13 February, 2010.

World Twenty20 Qualifier Squads Finalised [+]

The squads for the World Twenty20 Qualifier tournament in Dubai and Abu Dubai between February 9 and 15 have been announced

Steve Tikolo Steps Down as Kenya Skipper [+]

Steve Tikolo says he has stepped down as Kenya's captain after helping the team qualify for the 2011 World Cup. He will, however, play with the national team for the next two years before retiring from the game.