FIRST-TIME qualifier at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan, produced a clinical performance in Christchurch yesterday when they defeated Hong Kong by eight wickets for their first-ever victory in any World Cup finals.

In another match of the day, New Zealand beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets at Lincoln to confirm their place in the Super League quarter-finals stage while the West Indies overpowered Papua New Guinea by five wickets to give themselves a fighting chance of reaching the last-eight next stage, depending how today’s match between Bangladesh and Pakistan pans out.

In the final match of the day, Ireland’s Paul Stirling scored a classy century to lead his side to a five-wicket win over the USA.

Afghanistan’s historic win over fellow Group A Associate Member Hong Kong came relatively easily as they won by eight wickets with 19 overs to spare.

Chasing 138 for victory, Afghanistan openers Javed Ahmadi (90) and Ayan Aminzai (21) set a solid platform with a partnership of 86. Ahmadi was on fire as his 98-ball innings included nine fours and three sixes.

Afghanistan captain Noor-ul-Haq was very pleased with his opener’s innings. “He has the confidence in his ability to hit well over the boundary and is very valuable to our side,” he said.

Earlier Zakiullah Zaki returned figures of 7.1-1-34-5 to bowl Hong Kong out for 137 in 35.1 overs after Afghanistan had won the toss and chosen to field. Only opener Ashish Gadhia (46) and Nizakat Khan (27) offered any resistance as the two put on 60 runs for the fourth wicket.

Hosts New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe by seven wickets in front of ESPN STAR Sports cameras in Lincoln. New Zealand took only 25 overs to reel off the required 136–run target after openers Tom Latham and Harry Boam set the tone with an attacking opening stand of 116. Latham slapped 10 fours in an unbeaten 76-ball 57 while Boam clubbed eight fours in a 61-ball 58.

The host nation had set up the victory by winning the toss and bowling with sustained pressure and aggressive fielding, keeping a stranglehold on Zimbabwe’s scoring. Tim Johnston (3-37) was the pick of New Zealand attack with his attacking and varied off-spin.

New Zealand captain Craig Cachopa was pleased with the result and with the form of his top order batsmen. “Two from two – we’re guaranteed a place in the quarters, so we’re pretty happy with that,” he said.

“Harry and Tom were really good today – they batted really well. And I’m happy with where the team is ahead of tomorrow’s big game against Sri Lanka.”

Queenstown was Irish batsman Paul Stirling’s stage today as he smashed 114 to steer his side to a five-wicket win over USA in Group B.

The game was evenly poised after the USA made 217 and then had Ireland struggling at 104-4. However, Stirling, a regular in the Irish senior team, put Ireland back in front with his 114 coming off 102 balls, including 12 fours, and a six to bring up his century.

Stirling and Graham McDonnell (35 not out) added 104 runs for the fifth wicket to help Ireland earn their first win in a group stage match at the ICC U19 CWC since 2004.

The USA had earlier looked set to post at least 250 but were thwarted by a late-order collapse in which they lost five wickets for just 17 runs to be bowled out for 217 in 48.1 overs.

Sixteen-year-old left-handed opener Steven Taylor was in dangerous touch, scoring a hard-hitting 57 off 64 balls with six fours and three sixes. Saqib Saleem batted through the middle for a well-made 62 until spinner Lee Nelson decimated the innings, taking 3-3 in just seven balls.

Yesterday’s results see no change at the top of Group A, where India and England are already assured of places in the Super League quarter-finals, nor in Group B from where South Africa and Australia have reached the last eight stage.

New Zealand’s win puts them equal with Sri Lanka on top of Group C but with a superior net run-rate.

In Group D, the West Indies have finished their group stage matches but will have to wait until today to know their fate when Pakistan and Bangladesh go head-to-head in the feature match of the day in Palmerston North.

A Pakistan win will put the West Indies in the Super League quarter-final while Bangladesh’s victory will leave the three top teams equal on points with the net run-rate to decide which of the two teams will move in the next round.

The other two matches today will decide which teams top their respective groups when New Zealand take on Sri Lanka in a Group A match in Christchurch while South Africa play Australia in Queenstown in the final match of Group B.