Afghanistan Cannot be Counted Out
Not after their Super 8 victory over the strongest team in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Ireland were the only unbeaten team going into the Super 8 stage.
While Afghanistan had got there with losses against the top 3 sides of their Group - Kenya, Netherlands, and the UAE.
But today as the Super 8 stage got off to a shocking start, so did Afghanistan as they toppled Ireland by 22 runs.
Afghanistan face a tough challenge to qualify for the 2011 World Cup but with this victory over Ireland, they have started to face that challenge in the best way possible.
Ireland down, Scotland and Canada to go!
For some strange reason whenever Afghanistan have won a match in this tournament, my other favorite, UAE, has lost theirs.
Even more shocking is that UAE lost to a relatively weaker Namibia side and that too comprehensively.
The Super 8s have definitely kicked off in a shocking manner.
Who will qualify is no longer a garantee I think and I would definitely not count Afghanistan out.
In other news, Bermuda will take on Uganda soon to decide on the 9th ranked associate nation, while Oman and Denmark will fight out for the 11th spot.
Ireland were the only unbeaten team going into the Super 8 stage.
While Afghanistan had got there with losses against the top 3 sides of their Group - Kenya, Netherlands, and the UAE.
But today as the Super 8 stage got off to a shocking start, so did Afghanistan as they toppled Ireland by 22 runs.
Afghanistan face a tough challenge to qualify for the 2011 World Cup but with this victory over Ireland, they have started to face that challenge in the best way possible.
Ireland down, Scotland and Canada to go!
For some strange reason whenever Afghanistan have won a match in this tournament, my other favorite, UAE, has lost theirs.
Even more shocking is that UAE lost to a relatively weaker Namibia side and that too comprehensively.
The Super 8s have definitely kicked off in a shocking manner.
Who will qualify is no longer a garantee I think and I would definitely not count Afghanistan out.
In other news, Bermuda will take on Uganda soon to decide on the 9th ranked associate nation, while Oman and Denmark will fight out for the 11th spot.
Would you ever want Afghanistan to beat UAE?
Amy, a couple of posts ago I wanted exactly that - For Afghanistan to beat UAE: http://www.wellpitched.com/2009/04/world-cup-qualifers-reach-final-8-stage.html
:-)