Published: Oct 03, 2013, 12:39 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 03, 2013, 12:39 PM (IST)
Afghanistan are one win away from qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2015 © AFP
Sharjah (United Arab Emirates): Oct 3, 2013
Afghanistan moved to within just one victory of a place in the ICC World Cup 2015 after beating Kenya by eight wickets in the first of two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Kenya chose to bat but were skittled out for 89 runs in 37.5 overs, Hamid Hassan claiming four for 19.
In reply, Nawroz Mangal hit three fours and four sixes in a 60-ball 52, and Mohammad Shahzad scored a 41-ball 33 as Afghanistan achieved victory for the loss of two wickets inside 18 overs.
The two openers put on 79 runs for the first wicket in under 16 overs.
Brief scores:
Kenya 89 in 37.5 overs (Morris Ouma 24, Ragheb Aga 18; Hamid Hassan 4 for 19, Samiullah Shinwari 2 for 14, Shahpur Zadran 2 for 16) lost to Afghanistan 95 for 2 in 17.5 overs (Mohammad Shahzad 33, Nawroz Mangal 52*; Hiren Varaiya 2 for 12) by 8 wickets.
