Afghanistan break into ODI top 10

Afghanistan have continued their meteoric rise up the ranks of world cricket, with a 49-run win over Zimbabwe propelling them into the top 10 in the International Cricket Council's one-day international rankings for the first time.

Asghar Stanikzai's men successfully defended 131 at Sharjah International Stadium on Friday to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, led by a half-century from Noor Ali Zadran and a four-wicket haul from left-arm spinner Amir Hamza.

Afghanistan - ranked 12th heading into the series – have jumped ahead of Ireland and Zimbabwe to snatch 10th place in the rankings, a position they will retain if they can claim a series victory.

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It continued a breakout year for the Associate team, who won millions of hearts and made headlines throughout the world when they won their first ever World Cup match, defeating Scotland by one wicket, in February.

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Afghanistan celebrate their first World Cup win // Getty Images

That success was followed by a 3-2 series win against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in October, when they made history as the first Associate team to topple a full member in a bilateral series.

It's been an incredible rise for Afghanistan, whose national cricket team was formed just 14 years ago, shortly after the country was liberated from Taliban rule.

Many Afghanis became familiar with the game – and fell in love with it – while living in refugee camps in Pakistan after fleeing the Taliban. When they returned, the game came with them.

The team debuted in Division 5 of the ICC World Cricket League in 2008 but flew up the ranks, securing their World Cup berth with a win against Kenya in October 2013.

Friday's success will boost Afghanistan's hopes of making a second visit to the World Cup in 2019.

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While only 10 teams will compete in the tournament in England, down from 14 at this year's event in the Antipodes, the teams ranked 8-12 on September 30, 2017, will play off against six other associate and affiliate sides for the final two positions at the event.

Currently Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe, along with the West Indies, occupy those positions.

Afghanistan are also in the midst of a three-year battle to become the 11th Test nation.

The winner of the ICC Intercontinental Cup will face the lowest-ranked Test nation for a four-match Test series in 2018.

If the Associate team wins the series, it will become the 11th Test-playing nation.

Ireland sit undefeated on top of the Intercontinental Cup table after two rounds, with each team to play another five matches between now and December 2017.

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