Afghanistan won third game in a row as it defeated Netherlands by 7 wickets. Afghanistan notch up their fourth victory of the tournament, sealed with a four from skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, who cracks an Aryan Dutt delivery over midwicket. He remains unbeaten on 56 after he and Rahmat Shah (52) broke the back of a modest run chase. Azmatullah Omarzai was not out 31.
The Afghan team, led by the talented Mujeeb Ur Rahman, struck early by dismissing the Dutch opener, Wesley Barresi, in the very first over, with Barresi scoring just one run off four balls. However, Max O’Dowd, partnered with Colin Ackermann, initiated a recovery for the Netherlands. It appeared that O’Dowd was on track for a half-century, but a strategic move by the Afghan captain saw Mohammad Nabi taking the ball in the 12th over.
Hashmatullah Shahidi brings up his fifty as Afghanistan close in on victory. His unbeaten 51 comes off 59 balls and includes a 74-run stand for the third wicket with fellow half-centurion Rahmat Shah.
Saqib Zulfiqar takes a return catch to remove Rahmat Shah, who throws his arms up over his head in despair after being lured into the drive and finding the bowler moving fairly effortlessly to his left on his follow through. That ends Rahmat’s innings on 52 from 54 balls. Afghanistan remains in control at 129 for 3 needing 51 more with 27.2 overs and seven wickets in hand.
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