The chief executive of the ACC hailed Afghanistan's qualification for this year's World Twenty20 main rounds.

By Gautam Bhimani & Divya Bhagat

Afghanistan made it to the World Twenty20 after they snatched a four-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in their last Super Four match in Dubai.

Afghanistan's success continues the war-torn nation's remarkable rise in the game after having only gained affiliate membership of the International Cricket Council in 2001.

Ashraful Huq, chief executive of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) hailed the team's performance.

"It is fantastic the way Afghanistan team has improved over the year. They played well in all tournaments. In fact, they played well in every T20 match," Ashraful Huq told 'Cricket Extra'.

Afghanistan will play in Group C alongside South Africa and India.

"Except the match against the Netherlands, the team played very well in the qualifying rounds. It's great that they have qualified for the tournament. For a country facing war and other problems, it is a great achievement. Cricket has been taken up very well there.

"ACC has put a lot of effort to popularise cricket in the Asian countries, not just Afghanistan but also in countries like the UAE," added Haq.