The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Dubia

Afghanistan and Jersey qualified for the ICC World Cricket League Division five semi-finals on Friday to keep on course for possible qualification for the 2011 World Cup finals, the International Cricket Council announced.

Afghanistan successfully defended a 142-run total to defeat Nepal by 37 runs at the Grainville while hosts Jersey outsmarted the USA by 84 runs at the FB Fields.

Afghanistan and Jersey not only progressed through to Saturday's final but will also join Hong Kong, Fiji, Tanzania and Italy in the six-team Division four set for the Tanzanian capital of Dar Es Salaam from 4 to 11 October.

In turn, the top two teams from that tournament will progress to Division three in Argentina next January and hope to finish in the top two to qualify for the World Cup Qualifier 2009 in the UAE, which incorporates Divisions one and two.