ICC applauds Afghanistan's World Cup push
AFP 02/02/2009
PERTH


International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat Sunday applauded Afghanistan's extraordinary effort in reaching the final stage of qualifying for the 2011 World Cup.

Against all odds, the Afghans continued their rapid rise in world cricket by booking their place in April's qualifying tournament in South Africa with an 82-run victory over the Cayman Islands on Saturday.

The win put the war-torn nation top of the World League Division Three and ensured a third successive promotion.

Speaking in Perth after a two-day board meeting, Lorgat said Afghanistan richly deserved the opportunity to try to earn a berth in the game's biggest limited overs tournament.

"I think that is very exciting," he said.
"They have certainly surprised a few people.
"They have won each of the respective World Cricket Leagues they have played in and I think it is due reward for them to go into the qualifying round."

Afghanistan's cricket team, built in refugee camps in Pakistan, is the pride of a nation struggling to find a way out of war and poverty after the fall of the austere Islamic Taliban regime following the 2001 US-led invasion.

In April's qualifying event, Afghanistan and Uganda, who finished second in Division Three, will join Kenya, Scotland, Netherlands, Canada, Ireland, Bermuda, UAE, Oman, Namibia and Denmark in the battle for the four places available at the World Cup.

A place in the top six will guarantee one-day international status for the next four years.