Match 34, Lucknow, November 03, 2023, 02:00 PM
Netherlands
179/10(46.3ov)
Afghanistan
181/3(31.3ov)
Afghanistan beat Netherlands by 7 wickets
That's it from this game then, action from the World Cup continues. It is a double-header on Saturday, 4th of this month. First, it is Pakistan taking on New Zealand and then, it is Australia taking on England. The first game begins at 10.30 am IST (0500 GMT). The build-up begins a lot earlier. Till then, take care and goodbye!
Hashmatullah Shahidi says they were excellent in all departments. Adds they are playing according to the game situation. On Mohammad Nabi, he is a special player and steps up whenever the team needs him. Reckons the unity is strong among the players. Mentions they are trying their best to make it to the semi-finals and it will be a big achievement for the team. Ends by dedicating this win to his countrymen.
Scott Edwards says it was hard to set a good total after losing so many batters through run outs. Adds they are good defending totals and a score around 280 would have been good with dew around. Mentions they are now looking forward to the next game.
Mohammad Nabi is the Player of the Match for his wonderful bowling performance. He says he focuses on dot balls and he tries to vary his pace and stick to the basics. Mentions he sticks to his plans and tries to use his angles but he always tries to contain them. Ends by saying he keeps working on his fitness and he wants to continue to play.
...Presentation coming up...
Chasing a below-par total, it was the stand of Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi yet again that took Afghanistan over the line. Both are putting their hands up in recent times to get things done. Yet again it was the duo who kept things simple, hit it around and got things done pretty easily. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi scored the fifties respectively to get the fourth win in this tournament. Afghanistan, when things go according to their plan, look really solid and like a compact team. The road to the semi-finals is well and truly on for Afghanistan.
The victory though was set up by their bowlers and fielders. Netherlands won the toss and chose to bat first unsurprisingly. They are doing that well in this tournament but not this time around. It was bad cricket from them in the middle phase. Netherlands got off to a great start and were in a strong position but once Max O'Dowd fell, the gates opened up. Four top-order batters were run out which is just unacceptable. The pressure got big on them and apart from Sybrand Engelbrecht's fifty, no one stepped up.
Three victories in a row for Afghanistan! Three clever chases in a row. The whiteboard tactics are surely working wonders for the Afghan team. They move to fifth position and improve their net run rate as well.
In over# 32
4
0
1
Aryan Dutt 49/0(8.3)
31.3
4
FOUR! Up and over! There it is, Hashmatullah Shahidi ends it in style! Steps out and drags it from around off, over mid-wicket and it goes to the fence. Afghanistan WIN BY 7 WICKETS!
31.2
.
On middle, kept out.
31.1
1
Shorter and outside off, this is pushed through covers for one more.
In over# 31
0
0
1wd
1
1
2
1
Colin Ackermann 12/0(3)
30.6
.
Slower and around off, this is guided to point.
30.5
.
Tossed up on middle, this is pushed back to the bowler.
30.5
1wd
WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.
30.4
1
Doing it in singles! On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.
30.3
1
Just a biggie away now! On off, this is pushed through covers for one.
30.2
2
Fifty for Hashmatullah Shahidi! His 19th in ODIs and third in this World Cup. He has played with a lot of responsibility here and would love to stay there till the end. Flatter and on the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.