Afghanistan edges Scotland by 1 wicket, claims 1st win in Cricket World Cup in Pool A thriller

Afghanistan’s Samiullah Shenwari bats during their Cricket World Cup Pool A match against Scotland in Dunedin, New Zealand, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Dianne Manson) (The Associated Press)

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Afghanistan’s Hamid Hassan is watched by his teammates as he performs a hand-stand after taking a catch to dismiss Scotland's Josh Davey during their Cricket World Cup Pool A match in Dunedin, New Zealand, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Dianne Manson) (The Associated Press)

Afghanistan’s Hamid Hassan is congratulated by teammates reacts after taking a catch to dismiss Scotland's Josh Davey during their Cricket World Cup Pool A match in Dunedin, New Zealand, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Dianne Manson) (The Associated Press)

DUNEDIN, New Zealand – The Afghanistan cricket team brought joy to its far-flung fans when it beat Scotland by one wicket with three balls remaining Thursday to claim for its first win at the Cricket World Cup.

Samuillah Shenwari scored 96 to bat Afghanistan to the threshold of victory as it chased Scotland's 210 — its highest-ever score in a World Cup match — but was out with 19 runs needed, 19 balls remaining and one wicket standing. The last-wicket pair of Hamid Hassan (15 not out) and Shapoor Zadran (12 not out) combined in a nerveless partnership which completed the win as time ebbed away.

Shapoor struck the third ball of Iain Wardlaw's final over for four to end the most passionately-contested match of the World Cup to date.