SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (AFP) - Afghanistan booked their place in the Cricket World Cup for the first time on Friday when they swept past Kenya by seven wickets in their final qualifying match.

Set a modest 94 to win, Afghanistan, who were playing in the fifth tier of international cricket just five years ago, reached their target in the 21st over when captain Mohammad Nabi hit Shem Ngoche for a boundary through midwicket.

Afghanistan join World Cricket League winners Ireland as qualifiers for the 2015 Cricket World Cup to be played in Australia and New Zealand.

In the finals, they will play in Pool A against Australia, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.