NED 179 (46.3)
AFG 181/3 (31.3)
Afghanistan won by 7 wkts
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Mohammed Nabi
Cricbuzzteam, AFG vs NED, Afghanistan’s unstoppable momentum continues, and their unwavering self-belief is reaching new heights! They have always demonstrated remarkable resilience on the field, and now, with their confidence soaring, the flames of determination burn brighter than ever. Today, they showcased their prowess by executing an impressive four run-outs, propelling their team to success.
They are hitting their peak at the perfect moment. Other teams, beware, for Afghanistan is a force to be reckoned with! While this defeat may be a bitter pill for the Netherlands to swallow, they should keep their spirits high, knowing that they have already gifted cricket fans worldwide with countless memorable moments to cherish. Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for an exciting double-header tomorrow – the first match featuring New Zealand facing Pakistan, followed by an epic clash between England and Australia. It promises to be a pivotal day in the tournament, as the race for the remaining three semi-final berths heats up.
Hashmatullah Shahidi reflected on the match, saying that both their bowling and the run-chase were commendable. He highlighted their team’s focus on achieving opposition targets in this World Cup and adjusting their play according to the situation. He praised Mohammad Nabi as a special player who consistently delivers when the team needs him.
Shahidi emphasized the unity within the team and their collective enjoyment of victories while also expressing their determination to reach the semi-finals. He shared a personal note, mentioning the recent loss of his mother, making it a significant achievement for both his country and himself. He dedicated the win to the refugee population, acknowledging their struggles and pain.
Scott Edwards, on the other hand, expressed disappointment about the match, particularly the four run-outs from their top five batters. He admitted that their team struggled against Afghanistan’s high-quality spinners and couldn’t recover from the early setbacks. He also discussed the challenge of dealing with dew during the match, noting that they had previously done well when batting first. Edwards mentioned that a target of around 280 would have been competitive even with the dew factor and suggested the need to regroup and prepare for their upcoming match against England.
Mohammad Nabi, awarded the Player of the Match, attributed his success to maintaining a keen focus on his line and length and the strategic aim of delivering dot balls. He emphasized the importance of consistency in his line and length and the effective use of his bowling variations. Nabi also stressed the significance of adhering to his game plans and exploiting the angles on offer.
He noted that the effectiveness of his variations could vary depending on the pitch conditions, which contributed to his wicket-taking ability. His primary goal was always to maintain a tight bowling performance, resulting in a commendable economy rate. Nabi mentioned his dedication to fitness and a proper diet, highlighting that his body remained in good shape, and he expressed his happiness in representing Afghanistan in cricket.
AFG vs NED Records
Afghanistan No.3-5 in this World Cup
First four matches: 306 runs at 25.50, SR: 68.6, 50s: 2
Last three matches: 457 runs at 228.50, SR: 94.03, 50s: 6
> Afghanistan had three 50-plus partnerships across their first four matches in CWC 2023. They’ve had eight in their last three outings. They also had just four individual fifties in their first four matches combined, before racking up eight across the last three games.
Most 50-plus scores for Afghanistan in a single World Cup
3 – Rahmat Shah (2023)
3 – Hashmatullah Shahidi (2023)
2 – Samiullah Shinwari (2015)
2 – Hashmatullah Shahidi (2019)
2 – Azmatullah Omarzai (2023)
2 – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (2023)
Consecutive 50-plus scores for Afghanistan in World Cups
3 – Rahmat Shah (2023)
2 – Ikram Alikhil (2019-2023)
2 – Hashmatullah Shahidi (2023)
Most 50-plus scores for Afghanistan in World Cups
5 – Hashmatullah Shahidi
4 – Rahmat Shah
Rahmat Shah also became the first Afghanistan batter to complete 500 runs in World Cups today.
Most successful run-chases at CWC 2023
5 – India
3 – Afghanistan
2 – New Zealand
2 – Pakistan
2 – Sri Lanka
Afghanistan in World Cups
First 17 matches: One win, 16 defeats
Last 5 matches: Four wins, one defeat
Four of Afghanistan’s five WC wins have come while chasing
Also Check- ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Most Wickets, Runs, Fours, Sixes and Fifties
Brief Scores:Netherland 179 in 46.3 overs (Sybrand Engelbrecht 58, Max O’Dowd 42; Mohammad Nabi 3-28, Noor Ahmad 2-31) lost to Afghanistan 181/3 in 31.3 overs (Hashmatullah Shahidi 56*, Rahmat Shah 52; Roelof van der Merwe 1-27) by 7 wickets