ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2012 Teams & Players

Afghanistan team profile

Afghanistan has qualified for its second consecutive ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, securing its position in the tournament through strong performances at both the regional and global qualifying events. Afghanistan U19s beat Nepal in the final of the ACC U-19 Elite Cup 2011 and the two teams moved through to the global qualifier a few months later.

Afghanistan won five of its nine matches to finish fourth overall and secure its spot at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. In close matches, Afghanistan defeated fellow qualifier Papua New Guinea by six runs, and Namibia by one wicket, and finished the tournament with crushing wins, firstly against Vanuatu by nine wickets, and then against Canada by eight wickets.

Adding to its international experience over the past 18 months, Afghanistan U19s competed in the recent ACC U19 Asia Cup, winning two of its three group matches to advance to the semi-finals. A good all-round performance saw Afghanistan knock the more highly-favoured Bangladesh out of the tournament. A rapid-fire half century from Shabir Noori sealed the victory and a semi-final showdown with Pakistan, a match the team subsequently lost by 151 runs.

Having played in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup only once previously, Afghanistan U19s has not played against any of its three group opponents before, and will be looking to make its mark. The team will be looking to improve its tournament record of one win from six matches, and will be seeking revenge against Scotland, who it lost to in the qualifying tournament last year.