DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania: Afghanistan crushed Italy by 93 runs on Friday to secure a fifth win in five matches and secure promotion to the Division Three of the World Cricket League.

The victory represented Afghanistan’s second successive promotion and their next aim will be to finish in the top two of the six-team Division 3 tournament in Argentina in January, which would mean they join 10 other sides at the qualifier for the 2011 World Cup in Asia.

Hong Kong defeated Jersey by 100 runs to seal second place, while Fiji’s dramatic two-run win over Tanzania means that Jersey and Fiji will be relegated to Division 5 on net run-rate, as all three teams were tied on two points.

Afghanistan posted an imposing target of 235 for Italy to chase.

In reply, Italy lost Thushara Kurukulasuriya to his first ball, before the Northcote brothers added 61 for the second wicket.

But Italy’s hopes suffered a blow when Andy Northcote (29) was run out by Ahmadzai.

Meanwhile, Butt Hussain was run out on 99 but his innings was instrumental in securing Hong Kong’s passage to Division 3 with victory over Jersey.

After some excellent opening bowling from Ryan Driver and Anthony Kay, Hong Kong stuttered their way through the early overs.

But a 119-run partnership between Hussain and Skhawat (47) transformed the game as Hong Kong’s experience and class began to show as it made a challenging 234.