BUENOS AIRES, Jan 26: Afghanistan recovered from their first day defeat to Uganda to beat Hong Kong by 13 runs on Sunday and get their World Cricket League Division Three campaign back on track.

The win also kept their hopes of reaching April’s 2011 World Cup qualifiers alive.

Hong Kong, who beat hosts Argentina on Saturday, were reduced to 90-8 at one stage as they chased a 202-run victory target but came close to an unlikely win with a ninth-wicket stand of 62 and 36 for the final wicket.

Afghanistan openers Karim Khan (36) and Shafiqullah Shafaq (24) put on 72, but when both fell within the space of three balls, Hong Kong managed to get back into the game.

Some excellent spin bowling from Nadeem Ahmed (2-23) and Najeeb Ahmed (2-35) helped contain the middle order although Mohammad Nabi (40) and Norooz Mangal (35) made crucial contributions.

Samiullah Shenwari hit 25 off 39 balls to help Afghanistan to 201 all out off 49.5 overs.

None of Hong Kong’s top eight batsmen got beyond 20.

Sunday’s results:

Afghanistan beat Hong Kong by 13 runs.AFGHANISTAN 201 in 49.5 overs (M. Nabi 40; Irfan Ahmed 3-62); HONG KONG 188 in 48.2 overs (Munir Ahmed 49).

Papua New Guinea beat Argentina by 21 runs.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA 127 in 33.5 overs (V. Morea 39; D. Lord 4-33); ARGENTINA 106 in 44.4 overs (R. Dikana 5-5)

Uganda beat Cayman Islands by nine wickets.

CAYMAN ISLANDS 104 in 49.1 overs (K. Kamyuka 3-6); UGANDA 106-1 in 23.2 overs (R. Mukasa 81 not out).—AFP