Netherlands faced Afghanistan in Match 34 of the ODI World Cup 2023 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday. Winning the toss, Netherlands elected to bat with hopes of setting a competitive target. However, the Dutch team faced significant challenges with the bat, managing to score only 179 runs before being bowled out in 46.3 overs.
Mohammad Nabi’s heroics
Sybrand Engelbrecht emerged as the top scorer for the Netherlands, contributing 58 runs off 86 balls. Max O’Dowd and Colin Ackermann made valuable contributions with 42 and 29 runs, respectively. Still, the rest of the batting lineup struggled to build substantial partnerships.
Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs. His exceptional performance helped restrict the Netherlands from posting a more formidable total.
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Solid batting display
Afghanistan displayed their batting prowess during the chase, successfully reaching the target of 180 set by the Netherlands. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi played pivotal roles in Afghanistan’s innings, scoring 52 and 56 runs, respectively. Azmatullah Omarzai provided crucial support with 31 runs, and Afghanistan reached the target with 7 wickets in hand.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided a steady start with 10 and 20 runs, respectively. Rahmat and Hashmatullah then anchored the innings with their impressive performances, ensuring a comfortable victory.
Also READ: 5 Netherlands players whom franchises could target at the IPL 2024 auction
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Defeat in Lucknow 💔#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/3JXMB7eHT1
— Cricket🏏Netherlands (@KNCBcricket) November 3, 2023
Afghanistan cruised to victory today! This win adds an exciting twist to the points table. Teams will be battling fiercely for their spots now. #CWC23 #NEDVAFG
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) November 3, 2023
The Afghan team's performance in this World Cup has shifted the conversation from their bowling to their remarkable batting. Kudos to them for their consistent displays 👏 #Afghanistan #CricketWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/MYTfriMKJb
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 3, 2023
AFGANISTAN MOVES TO 5th IN THE POINTS TABLE….!!!! 🇦🇫
– They have over taken Pakistan with 4 wins from 7 games. pic.twitter.com/QohENWK1Ty
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 3, 2023
Solid Afghanistan win third game in a row to boost their #CWC23 semi-final chances 👊#NEDvAFG 📝: https://t.co/iSJKwpHOJK pic.twitter.com/Nqqx5r81z3
— ICC (@ICC) November 3, 2023
Hashmatullah Shahidi has guided Afghanistan home in their last 3 games. What a captain! 👏
48* vs. 🇵🇰
58* vs. 🇱🇰
56* vs. 🇳🇱#CWC23 #AFGvNED— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) November 3, 2023
This is Jonathan Trott appreciation tweet 👏#CWC23 #NEDvAFG pic.twitter.com/15jPcZsZbm
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) November 3, 2023
Afghanistan have a really tough road ahead. But they should be proud of their campaign this year. Both their wins, against England and Pakistan, didn't feel like an upset with the way they played in second innings.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) November 3, 2023
AFGHANISTAN HAVE REPLACED PAKISTAN AT NO.5 IN POINTS TABLE…!!!!
4th victory in this World Cup for Afghanistan, they're a super team. pic.twitter.com/tyVCz5Canf
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 3, 2023
Afghanistan sitting at 5th position with the same number of wins & losses as New Zealand & potentially Australia, if they do lose to England, at this stage of the tournament has to be the story of #CWC23 #AfgvNED
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 3, 2023
Afghanistan players thanking Lucknow for the support and love ❤#AFGvsNED
— VINEETH𓃵🦖 (@sololoveee) November 3, 2023