Afghanistan stun Australia in ICC U19 Cricket World Cup

Afghanistan caused a major upset in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2014 defeating three-time champion and 2012 runner-up Australia by 36 runs at Abu Dhabi Oval 2 on Monday.

Half-centuries by Mohammad Mujtaba, Ihsanullah and Hashmatullah Shaidi helped Afghanistan post a respectable 253 in 49.2 overs, before fast bowler Abdullah Adil and left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf shared seven wickets between them to bowl Australia out for 217.

Mujtaba (75, 102b, 5x4, 2x6) and Ihsanullah (63, 78b, 8x4) added 126 runs for the second wicket and later Hashmatullah (57, 64b, 7x4) provided a late impetus to Afghanistan’s innings after it had elected to bat first.

In turn, Australia managed just one partnership of note when for the fourth wicket, Jake Doran (45) and Damien Mortimer (43) put on 70 runs before being bowled out for 217 in 48 overs with James Bazley top scoring with 54 not out.

Abdullah returned figures of 9-0-45-4 while Sharafuddin had figures of 9-1-55-3.