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U-19: Afghanistan stun NZ to enter semi-finals

Christchurch: A 23-ball 66 from Azmatullah Omarzai was backed up by some precise bowling by spinners Mujeeb Zadran and Qais Ahmad as Afghanistan recorded a thumping 202-run victory over New Zealand to reach the semi-finals of the ICC U-19 World Cup in Christchurch on Thursday.
Azmatullah unleashed three fours and seven sixes as the Asian champions posted a mammoth 309 for six after electing to bat first at the Hagley Oval.
New Zealand were bowled out for 107 with off-spinner Mujeeb (four for 14) and
leg-spinner Qais (four for 33) mesmerising the host side's batting. Azmatullah, who was one of three players rested in Afghanistan's last league match against Ireland which they lost by four runs, showed what the Afghanistan first-choice players are capable of as they get ready to take on three-time champions Australia in the first semi-final on Monday.
The result also means that three Asian sides will be in the semifinals since Pakistan have already qualified and await the winners of the match between two other South Asian teams - India and Bangladesh who play the last quarter-final on Friday in Queenstown.
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