In a thrilling match at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, Netherlands faced off against Afghanistan in the Cricket World Cup 2023. This encounter was crucial for both teams as they aimed to secure their positions in the tournament. Afghanistan was riding high on a series of impressive victories, defeating world champions like England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The underdogs had risen, and a spot in the World Cup 2023 semi-finals was their aspiration.
Netherlands’ Solid Start
Netherlands won the toss and decided to bat first. The Dutch openers, Max O’Dowd and Wesley Barresi, walked to the crease with high hopes. Max O’Dowd’s early assault pushed the Netherlands to a promising start as they reached 72 for 1 in 11 overs. However, their progress was halted when O’Dowd’s search for a second run resulted in his run-out, thanks to a direct hit from Azmatullah Omarzai.
Netherlands Stumble
The run-outs continued to plague the Dutch innings. A well-set Colin Ackermann (29) was slow to react to a single call from Sybrand Engelbrecht, resulting in yet another run-out. This streak of dismissals left Netherlands deflated. They slid from 72 for 1 to 97 for 5, with their middle order crumbling. Afghanistan’s spinners took control of the game during this period, and the Dutch struggled to regain their footing.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Mastery
Afghanistan’s spinners, including Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad, bowled impressively and took crucial wickets. The fielders’ active and alert performance led to four run-outs. Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards and Bas de Leede were among those dismissed due to exceptional fielding. Mujeeb Ur Rahman started the game strong, clinching the first wicket by dismissing Wesley Barresi.
Afghanistan’s Chase
Afghanistan faced a target of 180 runs. While they encountered a minor hiccup early on, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, their excellent run-rate kept them in control. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi played pivotal roles in Afghanistan’s chase. Rahmat Shah scored 52 runs and was busy on the off side, while Hashmatullah Shahidi remained unbeaten with a brilliant 56*. Their partnership of 74 runs put Afghanistan in the lead.
Netherlands vs Afghanistan Live Score: Key Moments
- Rahmat Shah completed his third consecutive fifty in the World Cup.
- Afghanistan reached 150 runs in 27.1 overs.
- The 4th wicket partnership between Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai reached 50 runs.
- Afghanistan secured victory against Netherlands by 7 wickets, with 111 balls remaining.
Afghanistan’s Strong Position
With this win, Afghanistan climbed to the 5th position in the ICC Points table, boasting 8 points and a net run rate of (-)0.330. Their outside chances of reaching the semi-finals were looking promising.
Conclusion
In a match filled with exciting moments and top-class cricket, Afghanistan emerged as the victors. They showcased their prowess with both bat and ball, while their fielding was nothing short of exceptional. This victory kept their dream of reaching the semi-finals alive and demonstrated their potential as a dominant force in the World Cup 2023.
Head To Head Record
In the NED vs AFG head-to-head record, Afghanistan dominated, winning seven out of nine matches. In their last encounter in 2022, Afghanistan comprehensively defeated Netherlands by 75 runs.
Playing XI
Netherlands Playing XI:
Max O’Dowd, Wesley Barresi, Colin Ackermann, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Scott Edwards (C&WK), Bas de Leede, Saqib Zulfiqar, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, and Paul van Meekeren.
Afghanistan Playing XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Ali Khil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Netherlands vs Afghanistan : A Game to Remember
This match witnessed a fantastic display of cricket, with key highlights that left fans at the edge of their seats. Both teams gave their best, and Afghanistan’s dominant performance left a lasting impression.
With more challenging matches ahead, both teams are determined to secure their positions in the tournament. Afghanistan, especially, is on the path to becoming a cricket powerhouse, and their remarkable journey in the World Cup 2023 continues.
