It wasn't completely unexpected. After all, Afghanistan have beaten both Sri Lanka and Pakistan within the last two months at Under-19 level. But this win against Australia, at the Under-19 World Cup, is by far their most high profile victory to date.

On one of the two "nursery" grounds in the shadow of Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Afghanistan captain Nasir Ahmadzai won the toss and chose to bat first. The innings didn't start well for the Afghans when Usman Ghani was caught behind with the score on 2 from the last ball of the first over.

But they bounced back well, with Mohammad Mujtaba and Ihsanullah putting on 126 for the second wicket before Ihsanullah was out for 63 in the 28th over. Mujtaba was out 8 overs later having scored 75, the top score of the Afghan innings.

The middle order and tail-end batsmen didn't bat as well as the top order, and Afghanistan weren't able to capitalise on their start as much as they would have liked. Hashmatullah Shaidi, playing in his third Under-19 World Cup, scored 57, but the next highest score was 19.

Australian bowlers James Bazley and Cameron Valente both took three wickets as Afghanistan were bowled out for 253. On paper a relatively straightforward chase for Australia, but it was less than they made against Namibia on Saturday.

The Afghanistan bowlers kept things tight throughout the Australian run chase. The only partnership of any substance was a partnership of 70 for the fourth wicket Jake Doran and Damien Mortimer.

James Bazley scored a quick fire 54 not out from just 36 balls after coming in at number 7, but the lower order was unable to stay in with him, and Australia were bowled out for 217, losing by 36 runs. Abdullah Adil was the pick of the Afghan bowlers with 4-45.

Afghanistan now face Namibia in their final group game on Wednesday, needing a win if they are to make the quarter finals. Unless they can record a big win, they'll also need to rely on Bangladesh beating Australia.

Whilst this win will certainly make people take note, it is reaching the quarter finals that should be the main goal. Whatever happens though, with three wins over full members at Under-19 level in two months, the remarkable cricketing story of Afghanistan does not look to be ending any time soon.