Afghanistan begin the final leg of an amazing cricket journey Wednesday in South Africa hoping it will lead to the 2011 World Cup. The Afghan adventure began last year in the tranquil English Channel island of Jersey where it won a tournament of minnows before achieving further glory in Tanzania and Argentina against increasingly stronger opponents. And at Vaal University south of Johannesburg it faces Denmark in the first of five fixtures in Group B of the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, which includes Bermuda, Kenya, Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates. A top-four finish would take Afghanistan to the Super Eights phase with the countries occupying the first four places on the final standings securing places beside the giants of the game at the quadrennial World Cup. Should the Afghans secure a berth it would complete a fairytale without equal in the history of Cricket World Cup qualifying and give the war-torn nation a desperately needed boost. Coach Kabir Khan said victory against Denmark was crucial if the dream of rubbing shoulders with the likes of South Africa, Australia and India was to be realized. A 12-strong line-up including title holder Scotland, 2007 World Cup surprise packets Ireland, and Kenya will ensure the Afghans must fight for a place among the elite. Although struggling to find form, Ireland restricted Afghanistan to 88 runs en route to a six-wicket warm-up victory and the loss of former Pakistan ‘A' batsman Riffatullah Momand is a blow. An International Cricket Council (ICC) statement said the Afghanistan Cricket Board had not provided the necessary eligibility documentation for Momand to compete. Scotland defeated host Ireland in the final of the previous qualifying tournament and both countries are in Group A with Canada, Namibia, Oman and Uganda.
