Afghanistan climbed to third in the World Cup Super League after a 60-run ODI victory over Zimbabwe in Harare on Saturday.

Securing 10 points from the win lifted the tourists above India and Australia in the standings and left them trailing only leaders Bangladesh and second-placed England. The Proteas are 11th.

The top eight finishers in the Super League gain direct qualification to the 2023 World Cup in India.

Put in to bat after losing the toss, Afghanistan posted 276-5 in 50 overs with Rahmat Shah (94) and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (88) setting up the triumph after a shaky start that left the visitors 38-2.

Blessing Muzarabani was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers, taking 4-52, including the wickets of Shah and Shahidi, who had added 181 runs for the third wicket.

Zimbabwe were always behind the required run rate and were all out for 216 off the final ball of the innings with Sikandar Raza (67), debutant Innocent Kaia (39) and captain Craig Ervine (30) the best batsmen.

Mohammad Nabi was the most impressive Afghan bowler, finishing with 4-34 and Rashid Khan (2-39) and Fazal Haq Farooqi (2-41) were the best of the rest.

There will be two more ODI matches on 6 and 9 June followed by three T20Is on 11, 12 and 14 June with Harare Sports Club hosting all six games.

© Agence France-Presse