Afghanistan has moved a place closer to achieving a 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup berth by beating Kenya by eight wickets in the first of two one-day internationals between the nations at Sharjah on Wednesday.
Defeating Kenya by only 89 runs in 37.5 overs, Afghanistan moved a place closer to the crucial second spot in the competition, only one point behind the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Netherlands.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the country can climb to 19 points, secure second position behind Ireland and qualify for their maiden cricket World Cup berth if they win the second ODI on Friday, although if they lose the match, then the second-ranked UAE will retain their place and qualify for their first World Cup since 1996.
The report mentioned that Afghan bowler Hamid Hassan claimed four Kenyan wickets while opening batsman Nawroz Mangal and Mohammad Shahzad put on 79 runs for the first wicket in just over 16 overs.
