Sajed's all-round performance puts Afghanistan in final with Nepal in ACC U/19 Elite Cup in Kuala Lumpur

Sajed Khan produced a superb all-round performance to help Afghanistan set up a final date with Nepal in the ACC U/19 Elite Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday.

Sajed scored 82 and took 3-34 to steer Afghanistan to a 40-run victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while fast bowler Paras Khada took 5-21 to bowl Nepal to a five-wicket victory over Malaysia in the semi-finals of the tournament that also serves as Asia U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier for next year's ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup.

Opener Sajed faced 119 balls and clubbed eight fours after Afghanistan elected to bat first at the Kinrara Oval. Sajed received excellent support from Obaidullah Kunari who scored a whirlwind 67-ball 76 that included eight fours and three sixes.

The two put on 126 runs for the third wicket from just 121 balls. However, as it looked like Afghanistan would bat the UAE out of the match, it suffered a sensational collapse and lost its last eight wickets for 68 runs in little over 11 overs to be bowled out for 255.

Slow bowler Owais Hameed played havoc with the red cherry and pulled the UAE back in contention by returning figures of 8.3-0-58-6. Rohan Mustafa took 2-35.

UAE made a confident start and reached 104-1 in 17.1 overs before it lost its last nine wickets for 111 runs to be dismissed for 215 in 47.2 overs. Arjun Lanba top scored for the UAE with a 75-ball 73 that included 10 fours and a six while Mehtab Ali (36) and Jai Patel (21) were the other main run-getters.

For Afghanistan, paceman Izatullah Khan was the pick of bowlers with 4-28 while Sajed Khan claimed 3-34.

Afghanistan coach Abdul Wali Amin said his team's achievement confirmed the fact that there was talent in abundance in the country. He said: "As we have been in a war zone for the last 30 years, we neither have any grounds nor have any playing facilities where we could hone our skills. But to come here, compete against better-prepared teams and reach the final is a clear indication that Afghanistan is not short of talent."

Amin said his players prepared for the event by playing on self-prepared turf pitches. "Our academy is half ready and has both the turf and cement pitches. But to play on the turf pitch, you have to prepare it first. The outfield is not grassy and it is really difficult to do fielding sessions."

Amin said his players have put the celebrations on a hold and were now focusing on the final. "We are just a step away from achieving something we never thought we would achieve. The dream is striking distance away and the boys are not willing to slip this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Immediately after the semi-final win, the boys were talking about the final and analyzing the Nepalese team. It is going to be a tough match because Nepal is a more experienced team, having played at this level before.

"I am happy with the way the team has performed in this tournament. The batsmen struggled in the earlier stages but in the last two matches, we scored more than 250 runs which is good progress but bowling remains our strong point," Amin said.

In the other semi-finals, Nepal carved out a five-wicket victory over hosts Malaysia at the Bayuemas Oval. Nepal fast bowler Paras Khadka justified his decision to ball first after winning the toss by taking 5-21 as the home team was dismissed for 54 in 30.5 overs.

Nepal stuttered in its chase when it lost five wickets but managed to achieve victory in 20.2 overs.

The winner of Wednesday's final will join Papua New Guinea (from the East Asia-Pacific Region), Ireland (from the Europe Region), Bermuda (from the Americas Region), the ICC's 10 Full Members and hosts Malaysia at the 16-team ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup to be played from 17 February to 2 March 2008.

Scores in brief:
At Kinrara Oval, Afghanistan beat UAE by 40 runs
Afghanistan 255 in 49.3 overs (Sajed Khan 82, Obaidullah Kunari 76; Owais Hameed 6-58)
UAE 215 in 47.2 overs (Arjun Lanba 73, Mehtab Ali 36; Izatullah Khan 4-28, Sajed Khan 3-34)

At Bayuemas Oval, Nepal beat Malaysia by five wickets
Malaysia 54 in 30.5 overs (Paras Khadka 5-21, Raj Shrestha 2-8)
Nepal 55-5 in 20.3 overs (Mohammad Shahrulnizam 3-15, Nik Azril Arifin 2-25)

The ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup is a vital part of the ICC Development Program and provides a vehicle for the best young cricketers in the world to parade their skills.

Many of the future stars of the game experience their first true international exposure at this tournament and players such as Brian Lara, Michael Atherton, Yuvraj Singh, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Chris Cairns, Michael Clarke, Graeme Smith and Sanath Jayasuriya have used the event as a stepping stone to full international honours.

First staged in Australia in 1988, the tournament was initially organised on an occasional basis, but since the commencement of the ICC Development Program in 1997 it has become a biennial fixture.

The 2010 ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup will be held in Kenya while the 2012 tournament will be staged in Canada and UAE will host the 2014 edition.