The Netherlands got their World T20 Qualifying campaign off to a solid start on Friday with a convincing 7-wicket win over Afghanistan in Sharjah.

Peter Borren's side are one of the favourites to emerge from this tournament and they were quick to impose themselves on Group B with a good all-round performance here.

The Afghans won the toss and opted to bat first, however the top order rarely threatened to lay any semblance of a solid foundation. Only Mohammad Shahzad (20) offered much resistance against a potent Dutch attack as wickets tumbled all too regularly.

An early finish looked on the cards at 56 for 6 before a 30 run stand between Najibullah Zadran (19) and Gulbadin Naib (9) gave the batting card some sort of respectability, but the damage had already been done.

What resistance there was ended when Zadran went with the Afghans finally dismissed for just 90. To their credit they battled hard, managing to use up all but 5 balls of their 20 overs.

Mudassar Bukhari (2-7), Malik Jamil (2-10), Paul van Meekeren (2-18) and Pieter Seelar (2-21) were the pick of the bowling side's attack.

What looked like at straightforward ask for the Dutch took an early turn when Shapoor Zadran removed Wesley Barresi with his first ball and the Afghans sensed a comeback.

Eric Szwarczynski (24) and Stephan Myburgh (21) soon dispelled the doubts however to put The Netherlands back in front before both fell to Mohammad Nabi (2-18).

The game was finished in scintillating style by Borren who took just 15 balls in smashing an unbeaten 38 (2 fours and 4 sixes) as the Dutch coasted home.

This will have been exactly the start that Dutch skipper Borren would have been hoping for and with Scotland losing to Bermuda the men in orange will be delighted to be among the pace-setters.