Afghanistan face Canada as World Cup dream lives on

Afghanistan's magical cricket ride stops off at LC de Villiers Oval in Pretoria Monday with Canada the latest rivals of a team that refuses to give up on its World Cup dream.

It is one of four 2011 World Cup Qualifier Super 8 fixtures in South Africa and carries huge significance for the Afghans after they ended a three-match losing streak by stunning six-point pacesetters Ireland on Saturday.

A 22-run triumph, inspired by five-wicket Hameed Hasan, earned a side that was in the fifth level of world cricket just a year ago their first two Super 8 points.

But coach Kabir Khan conceded after his team brought a five-match winning run by the Irish to a halt that his 'miracle men' will probably have to defeat Canada, Scotland and Namibia as well to realise their Cup dream.

Another three wins would raise the points tally to eight, and offer a realistic chance of a top-four finish on the eight-nation standings and a place among giants like title holders Australia at the world ODI showpiece.

Pakistan is among four co-hosts of the 2011 World Cup and it is there that many of the young Afghan team honed their skills using cloth for a ball and shoes for a wicket after fleeing violence at home.

"Canada is a massive game for us and we will approach it with a lot of confidence. After defeating Ireland, who can say what will happen?" asked medium-pacer Hasan.

He singled out mental strength as a key factor in the revival of a team well beaten by Kenya, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates within five days during the first round of the final qualifying tournament.

"We showed great character to recover from those defeats and have learnt a lot about our batting, bowling and fielding as well," Hasan said after claiming the wickets of major Irish threats Andrew White and Kevin O'Brien.

While Canada shook off the loss for the rest of the tournament of injured batting star John Davison to finish seven-wicket winners over Kenya, they were outplayed by Ireland last week.

An Irish side coached by West Indian Phil Simmons faces UAE in Johannesburg on Monday while the Krugersdorp clash of Kenya and Scotland brings together teams with four points each.

Namibia prop up the table with two points, behind Afghanistan on net run rate, and need to follow a 49-run win over the Emirates with another victory against the Dutch in Benoni to have a hope of finishing among the top four. JOHANNESBURG, Wednesday, AFP