Afghanistan increased their hopes of making the current ODI World Cup 2023 semi-finals by defeating the Netherlands by a comfortable seven wickets in Lucknow. They now have eight points from the victory and are breathing down the neck of New Zealand, who are fourth in the points standings.
The Netherlands did well at first when they batted first, but they lost a few of wickets early and were unable to rally.
In the history of ODI cricket, four of their batters were run out. They managed to hold things together, though, and after the first innings they scored 179. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatuallah Shahidi once again paved the path for a historic triumph in the chase.
Numerous runouts in Lucknow
The Dutch lost all momentum as they ran out four of their top five batters. The middle-order hitters were unable to capitalize on Max O’Dowd’s excellent start, which prevented the Netherlands from amassing a formidable total.
The friendship between the youngest and oldest
The oldest player on the Afghanistan team, Mohammad Nabi, took three wickets in the middle throughout the course of the match, while Noor Ahmad, the youngest, took two. Because they were so good from the beginning, Afghanistan was able to bundle the Netherlands for 179 runs.
Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah finishing the task
Afghanistan is currently leading the ODI World Cup after Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi produced another strong performance at bat. After being dismissed after managing to score 52 runs, Shah was quite unhappy, but Shahidi persevered till the very end to record their fourth victory of the tournament.
Losing skipper Scott Edwards said:
Definitely not ideal! Four run-outs from our top five batters. We started well but we lost our way. They have top-quality spinners and we couldn’t recover. You can’t really for the dew. We have done well batting first, a 280 sort of score would have been good even with dew around. We will have to regroup and bring ourselves back for the England game.
Winning skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi said:
I would say both, we bowled well but the run-chase also. It’s the third time we are achieving a target. Especially in this World Cup, we are looking at the target of the opposition. We are playing according to the situation and achieving for the team. (On Mohammad Nabi) He is a special player. Whenever the team needs him, he shows the way. We all are very united, we all are enjoying the wins and all of them are thinking about the team.
We are trying our best to make it to the semi-finals. If we make it, it would be a big achievement for us. I lost my mother three months back, so my family is in pain, so it will be a big achievement for our country first and then for me also. I would like to give a message – there are a lot of refugee people in struggle, we all are watching their videos and we feel their pain. I dedicate this win for them.
POTM Mohammed Nabi said:
Just focused on my line and length, focused on bowling dot balls. Always try to be consistent with my line and length and use my variations. Always stick to my plans and use the angles. Variations are more variable on some pitches and that’s why I get wickets. I always try to keep it tight and hence bowl with a good economy. Work on my fitness and my diet, still my body is going good and happy to play for Afghanistan.
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