ICC World Cup 2023: Points Table after Afghanistan vs Netherlands Match 34

Afghanistan’s cricket team is writing an inspiring story at the ICC World Cup 2023, adding to their remarkable journey with a fourth consecutive win in the mega event. They secured a convincing seven-wicket victory against the Netherlands in a comfortable run-chase in Lucknow, further solidifying their position on the World Cup points table.

Chasing down a target of 180 runs set by the Dutch, the Afghan team showcased their prowess by achieving the victory in just 31.3 overs. This win not only strengthened their position but also improved their net run rate (NRR), propelling them to the fifth position in the World Cup standings.

For the first time in the history of the tournament, Hashmatullah Shahidi’s squad achieved three consecutive wins, a remarkable feat given their previous World Cup performances in 2015 and 2019, where they had secured only one victory.

Despite an early setback with the loss of openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi formed a crucial partnership, steering their team to a significant win. Rahmat Shah, who has been a standout performer in the tournament, scored 52 runs, bringing his total to 264 runs with an impressive average of 44 in the World Cup.

ICC World Cup 2023 points table

Shahidi remained unbeaten at 56*, while Azmatullah Omarzai contributed 31* runs, guiding Afghanistan to successfully chase down the 180-run target in 31.3 overs, further boosting their NRR.

Batting first, the Netherlands struggled to build a substantial total, managing to score only 179 runs in 46.3 overs. The Afghani spinners, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmed, coupled with the Dutch team’s poor running between the wickets, caused significant troubles.

Despite a shaky start, losing opener Wesley Barresi in the very first over, the Dutch side showed resilience and displayed promising cricket. However, they found themselves at the mercy of their own mistakes.

Key performers, including Max O’Dowd, Collin Ackerman, and Sybrand Engelbrecht, were all run out after scoring 42, 29, and 58 runs, respectively. The Netherlands had the potential to post a more competitive total, but their skipper, Scott Edwards, was also run out on the very first ball he faced, leaving the team at 92-4 in 18.4 overs.

Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Mohammad Nabi with three wickets and the young Noor Ahmed with two scalps to his name, showcased their skill and played a pivotal role in their team’s victory. As Afghanistan continues their impressive journey in the ICC World Cup 2023, they remain alive in the race for the semi-finals, leaving fans eager to see how far they can go in the tournament.

To stay informed about current events, please like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BOLUrduNews/.
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/bolnewsurdu01 and stay updated with the latest news.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://bit.ly/3Tv8a3P to watch news from Pakistan and around the world