Ireland's hopes of reaching the final of the ICC World Cup qualifiers were hit by a 22-run defeat to Afghanistan in the first Super Eight match at Krugersdorp.

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• Stander hails bowling unit

Afghanistan reached a mediocre 218 for seven from their 50 overs thanks to an unbeaten half-century from Raees Ahmadzai and battling contributions from Mohammad Shehzad (46) and Asghar Stanikzai (47).

But in reply, the Irish lost openers William Porterfield and Gary Wilson for just five runs between them and none of the top five batsmen managed more than 30 runs.

Andrew White steadied the innings with 56 off 64 balls and Kevin O'Brien scored 52 before both were bowled in quick succession by Hameed Hasan, who finished with figures of five for 23 off nine overs.

Those wickets proved a turning point as the tail end then collapsed, adding only five runs for the final four wickets to hand Afghanistan victory with two and a half overs remaining.

Half-centuries from Gavin Hamilton and Jan Stander helped Scotland to a 26-run win over Netherlands in Johannesburg.

Stander (80 not out) shared an unbroken 96-run partnership with John Blain (29 not out) at the death to help his side recover from a position of 59 for five to finish on 216 for eight.

Blain then took five for 45 as despite Bas Zuiderent's 67 from 106 balls the Dutch fell short.

The top four teams qualify for the World Cup and with three games remaining Ireland and Canada head the table on six points with Scotland joining the Dutch, Kenya and UAE on four points.