Scotland's Under-19's all but guaranteed themselves a place at next year's Youth World Cup in Australia when closing out a 33-run victory over Afghanistan at Strabane Park on Friday.

The Scots looked on course for a big total batting first when Freddie Coleman and Peter Ross helped them recover from a couple of early losses with a solid third wicket partnership worth 88 runs. Coleman top scored with 63, hitting 10 fours in his 93 ball knock while Ross hit 7 fours in his 55 made off 99.

That was just what their team needed and set up a platform for the lower and middle order but the late onslaught didn't really materialise and they lost their way a little in the latter overs. Sayed Shirzad with 4 for 33 was the pick of the Afghan bowling while Mohammad Ahmadzi added 3 for 49 from his ten and Shir Shirzi chipped in with 2 for 34.

At one stage the Scots had looked on course for 260 so their 218 all out in exactly 50 overs would have disappointed them slightly.

Having already lost three times in the tournament so far the Afghans would have been desperate to get their qualifying campaign back on track here but they did their cause little good with some way ward early batting.

A good opening burst from Aman Bailwal gave the Scots a dream start and backed up by skipper Paddy Saddler they had Afghanistan reeling on 41 for 5 before Afsar Zazai played his hand. Propping up the middle order to good effect Zazai played a really composed innings and a half century stand with Najbullah Zadran set their side on the road to recovery.

Zadran showed slightly less respect towards the Scots' attack as he clubbed 3 fours and 3 sixes in his 37 and even when he fell, Zazai found another willing partner in Nasir Ahmadzi. Those two took the Afghans right back into the contest but with overs starting to run out the batting side had to up the ante and eventually paid the price.

Ahmadzi was out for 20 and Zazai a very composed 84 but neither's contribution was to be enough and in the end they were all out for 185.

Bailwal finished with figures of 4 for 34 and Sadler and McElnea claimed a couple of wickets each as the Scots eased through to the brink of qualification.

No such luxury for Afghanistan however and the pre-tournament favourites now find themselves needing to win their last three matches to stand any chance of qualifying.