NORTH SOUND: Allah Noor put up solid fight in front of English bowlers but they managed to defend target against Afghanistan to qualify for ICC U19 Cricket World Cup here on Tuesday. 

Set to chase 232 runs in the semi-final, Afghanistan lost their opener Nangeyalia Kharote earlier but Mohammad Ishaq and Noor partnered strongly to score match-saving 93 runs together.

Ishaq got run-out after scoring 43 runs including two sixes and three boundaries. A run-out brought England back in the game. Noor smoked three sixes and five boundaries to score 60 runs.

Abdul Hadi stayed in the middle till the end but couldn’t take his team over the victory line. He remained not out for 37 runs. Bilal Ahmad contributed 33 runs including six boundaries.

Rehan Ahmed of England stood out with his eye-catching figures of 4-41. Thomas Aspinwall bagged two wickets.

Earlier, George Thomas and George Bell scored half-centuries to drive England to 231-6. Opener Thomas scored 50 off 69 balls laced with four boundaries and two sixes while Bell registered 56 not-out. His inning included six boundaries.

For Afghanistan, Naveed Zadran and Noor Ahmed bagged two wickets each.

In second semi-final today, India will meet Australia in Coolidge. The match will start at 6pm PST.