Afghanistan aiming for some upsets against the big boys

Afghanistan hopes to follow the World Cup giant-killing blueprint drawn up by fellow outsider Ireland when it makes its debut at the game's showpiece tournament.

Ireland defeated mighty Pakistan to reach the Super Eights stage at the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean before defeating England in a high-scoring match in the 2011 tournament in India.

"My wish would be to emulate what Ireland did in the last couple of World Cups. They have caused shocks by playing positive, entertaining cricket," said Andy Moles, who replaced former Pakistan paceman Kabir Khan as Afghanistan coach in September last year.