Cricket World Cup: Six wounded in Afghanistan gunfire celebrations

Six people were wounded in celebratory gunfire as Afghanistan fans took to the streets to mark their team's Cricket World Cup victory over Scotland in Dunedin yesterday.

Hundreds of fans turned out in major cities across Afghanistan dancing, waving flags and firing AK-47 rifles after their team's shock one-wicket win, the BBC reports.

A health official said six people were wounded in celebrations in Jalalabad.

Afghanistan president Ashraf Ghani, tweeted his support after the dramatic win.

Afghanistan's victory was certainly one of the highlights of the tournament to date.

The sight of Shapoor Zadran with arms spread wide sprinting away rather aimlessly before collapsing on the turf rather summed up the remarkable comeback.

The Afghans, spearheaded by an impressive bowling display and a wonderful fighting innings of 96 from Samiullah Shenwari, overhauled Scotland's total of 210 with just three balls to spare and one wicket in hand.

Shapoor Zadran clipped the winning runs but Shenwari's innings made the difference.

The chase was full of calamity. Following a promising start of 85 for two, the Afghans lost the next five wickets for just 12 runs. Defeat appeared inevitable.

Afghan opener Nawroz Mangal had reached 1000 career ODI runs before he was bowled for seven, and Asghar Stanikzai spent just three deliveries at the crease.

Javed Ahmadi seized the initiative with some aggressive batting, dancing down the wicket and swatting fours over extra cover or straighter in a run-a-ball innings of 51.

Mohammad Nabi's departure and Afgar Zazai's duck left Afghanistan's innings teetering.

But Shenwari, who had a life on 20, kept the faith. He left it until the 47th over to make his move, swatting Majid Haq for three sixes before holing out at deep midwicket.

But the last pair of Shapoor and Hamid Hassan held their nerve to seal the win.

- NZ Herald and Otago Daily Times