By In an electrifying contest at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium, Afghanistan secured a resounding seven-wicket victory against the Netherlands, significantly enhancing their prospects of advancing to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
This clash marked the 34th match in the tournament, and Afghanistan’s performance was nothing short of remarkable. They achieved the challenging 180-run target with an astonishing 111 balls to spare.
This crucial triumph has propelled Afghanistan to eight points, placing them level with Australia and New Zealand, the current frontrunners in the race for a coveted semi-final spot.
India stands undefeated, having already secured a position in the final four, with South Africa also in contention.
Afghanistan’s upcoming encounter, slated for Tuesday, is with the five-time champion Australia. This match carries an extra layer of intensity, stemming from a contentious series cancellation earlier this year, citing objections to the Taliban’s treatment of women. It guarantees an encounter that should not go unnoticed.
In this remarkable victory, two standout performers were Rahmat Shah and Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. Rahmat Shah showcased consistent brilliance by scoring his third consecutive half-century for Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Captain Shahidi played a pivotal role by contributing an unbeaten 56, marking his third fifty in as many matches, underlining his exceptional form.
The bowlers of Afghanistan also played a vital role in this win. They effectively contained the Netherlands, limiting them to a total of 179 runs.
Despite winning the toss and opting to bat, the Dutch team faced a series of setbacks, with four runouts disrupting their innings, commencing with the early dismissal of opener Wesley Barresi.
Although Max O’Dowd and Colin Ackermann managed a promising partnership of 70 runs for the second wicket, their progress was hampered by unfortunate runouts and other misfortunes.
As wickets fell at regular intervals, the Netherlands found themselves all out after 46.3 overs.
Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi emerged as the star bowler with impressive figures of 3-28. Reflecting on their success, Nabi attributed their performance to the pressure they applied, stating, “When the pressure is on the batsman, you know they will make mistakes and bad calls. This aided us in securing four run-outs.”
This convincing victory has positioned Afghanistan as a strong contender for a semi-final berth. Their upcoming match against Australia holds significant importance, promising a clash of titans and a thrilling spectacle in the World Cup. The road to the semi-finals is becoming even more exciting and unpredictable.
