After West Indies, Afghanistan booked a place in the next year’s cricket World cup. In the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2018, Afghanistan defeated Ireland by five wickets to qualify for the finals and tournament proper. Earlier, Windies defeated Scotland to take one of the two available spots. Following UAE’s shock win over Zimbabwe, the doors opened for both Afghanistan and Ireland. The Asghar Stanikzai-led side eventually emerged victorious to complete a remarkable turnaround.

After losing first three matches, Afghanistan were staring at an early exit from the tournament. Even Afghanistan cricket chief Shafiq Stanikzai apologised to fans for team’s debacle. However, Afghanistan won their subsequent matches and more importantly had many other results going in their favour. It was Nepal’s win over Hong Kong that helped them progress to Super Sixes.

Here’s how Afghans celebrated their win over Ireland

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Afghanistan dished out an impressive performance against Ireland by restricting them to 209/7 in 50 overs. Rashid Khan and Dawlat Zadran scalped three and two wickets respectively to limit Ireland to a paltry score.

Openers Mohammad Shahzad and Gulbadin Naib then put on an 86-run stand for the first wicket to put Afghanistan in a comfortable position. However, Afghanistan did lose few wickets quickly but captain Stanikzai played a composed knock of 39 not out to take his side to victory.

Afghanistan will now face West Indies in the final of the tournament on March 25 at Harare Sports Club in Harare. West Indies and Afghanistan now complete the ten-team Cricket World Cup to be held in England and Wales in 2019.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 23, 2018 11:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).