Afghanistan triumph again as Bermuda fall short

Giantkillers Afghanistan claimed another 2011 Cricket World Cup Qualifier victim Thursday with a 60-run triumph over Bermuda in Potchefstroom.

The team that won tournaments in Jersey, Tanzania and Argentina to reach the final qualifying stage for the World Cup made 239-9 in 50 overs before dismissing their opponents for 179. It was the second victory for the war-torn nation in as many days and they look set to reach the Super Eights phase, where the top four finishers secure places at the 2011 World Cup in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Wicketkeeper Karim Sadiq, whose bowling helped fashion a five-wicket victory over Denmark Wednesday, displayed his batting prowess with 83 runs off 103 balls spiced by 10 fours.

Nowroz Mangal was the other batting star, making 71 from 77 balls before being run out by David Hemp and Asghar Stanikzai contributed a useful 38 at South African ODI venue Senwes Park. Bermuda began the run chase disastrously, losing openers Lionel Cann and Jekon Edness with just seven runs on the board, before Glenn Blakeney and Steven Outerbridge staged a 118-run third-wicket stand. But Mohammad Nabi clean bowled Blakeney (68) to trigger a steady fall of wickets and Bermuda never seriously threatened to overtake the Afghanis in the north-west university town. JOHANNESBURG, AFP