Hong Kong and Afghanistan off to winning starts

Hong Kong and Afghanistan both enjoyed winning starts to their World Cricket League Division Four matches here on Saturday as they took steps closer to the 2011 World Cup.

Hong Kong beat fellow favourites Italy by 46 runs in a match reduced to 41 overs per side. They scored 210-5 with Zain Abbas (70), Ilyas Gul (48) and Butt Hussain (44) all making runs.

Hong Kong then restricted Italy to 163 for 9, leaving coach Aftab Habib content with his side's start.

"It was a really good team performance," said former England batsman Habib. "We've got a lot of character and fight in our team and Zain Abbas played an exceptional innings."

Afghanistan clinched an 80-run victory over Fiji.

They struggled to 132 all out in the damp conditions with Iniasi Cakacaka (4 for 26) and Waisake Tukaha (3 for 16) doing most of the damage. However, Fiji were undone by some excellent bowling led by Hamid Hassan (4 for 25) and they only managed to muster 52.

"We always thought that would be enough runs," said Hassan. "As bowlers, you can't change the score so we just tried our best with the ball. And it paid off."

Hosts Tanzania beat Jersey by 34 runs in the other match. The top two teams here will ensure spots in Division Three next year with the leading two nations there progressing to the final World Cup Qualifier in April 2009.