ICC World Cup Qualifier, Willowmoore Park, Benoni:
Afghanistan 279 (50 overs) beat Scotland 237 (47.1 overs) by 42 runs

Scotland captain Ryan Watson was dismissed for 14 (Picture: Ian Jacobs)

Scotland's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup are all but over after losing to Afghanistan by 42 runs in Benoni.

The Afghans were 279 all out after impressive knocks from Karim Sadiq (92) and captain Norooz Mangal (72).

In reply, Kyle Coetzer (91) and Gavin Hamilton (71) took the Scots to 187-2 with more than 10 overs remaining.

But the last eight wickets fell for 50 runs and Scotland must now beat UAE on Friday, while hoping Afghanistan and Netherlands lose their final games.

Failure to beat UAE will see Scotland lose their one-day international status, since they sit bottom of the Super Eight table and only the top six sides secure ODI status until 2013 and also qualify automatically for the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009/10 as well as this year's WorldTwenty20 qualifier.

Scotland captain Ryan Watson struggled to express his frustration but managed a few words of praise for their opponents.

"All credit to Afghanistan," he said. "They've come through the ranks and they're a well-oiled, well-drilled team and they were very professional.

"They're a massively improved cricket nation.

"To be fair, I think they played much better on the day. I'm just very disappointed and lost for words. It may take a little longer to get over this one."

The Afghans set Scotland a daunting total of 280 to win, and the Scots lost Majid Haq (one) in the third over, caught behind by Mohammad Shehzad off Shahpoor Zadran.

Watson (14) was next to go when he played on a Khaleqdaad Noori delivery leaving his side at 54-2.

We've got to knuckle down and make sure we get a win and hopefully things will then go our way Kyle Coetzer

Coetzer and Hamilton stemmed the flow of wickets with an impressive partnership and steered Scotland's total to 187 before the Afghans struck.

Coetzer was out nine short of his century when he cut Karim Sadiq (2-44) to Mohammad Nabi at gully.

In the next over, Neil McCallum (five) was excellently snapped up by Rais Ahmadzai on the deep square leg boundary off the bowling of Samiullah Shinwari.

Hamilton quickly followed when he was caught by Hamid Hassan running in from long on and the Scots collapsed to 237 all out.

For the Scots to progress they have to win, while Canada must get the better of Netherlands and Namibia have to beat Afghanistan.

"We've just got to go out and give it everything we've got," said Coetzer, who was angry at losing his wicket at a vital stage in the game.

"We've got to knuckle down and make sure we get a win and hopefully things will then go our way.

"We haven't shown what this side is capable of doing. Cricket is one of those games where you can be at the top of your game and the next year you can get relegated - I've seen that happen many times.

"We've got a good side here, a good set-up and a good coaching staff in place. We just really need to give back to them what's been given to us."

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