AFG vs NED, 1st ODI - Review: All-round Afghanistan trump Netherlands by 36 to take 1-0 lead

Hashmat Ullah Shahidi (73) and Rahmat Shah (70) scored half-centuries while Rashid Khan picked 3/31 to help Afghanistan beat the Netherlands by 36 runs in the first of three-match ODI series. 

Earlier in the day, Afghanistan was put in to bat first on a slow pitch. Afghanistan lost Gurbaz early but Rahmat Shah and later on the Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi capitalized on their excellent batting techniques to help Afghanistan post a decent total. 

Rahmat Shah made 70 off 102 deliveries including 3 fours and 2 sixes before he was trapped in front by the off-spinner Colin Ackermann. Hashmat kept ticking around and struck a 94 ball 73 before holing out to Mid off on the last ball of the inning. 

Afghanistan managed to put 222/8 runs on the board, following some excellent death bowling by the Netherlands, as they conceded only 63 runs in the last 10 overs. The right-arm quick Brandon Glover picked 3/43, Fred Klassen picked 2/39 while Vivian Kingma, Philippe Boissevain, and Colin Ackermann had one wicket each. 

In response, the Netherlands started their inning quite well with the opener Scot Edwards scoring an impressive half-century before he was removed by a beauty from Mujeeb Zadran for 68. 

Skipper Pieter Seelar was the other man contributing with a fighting 32 but some excellent bowling from Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, and Mujeeb ur Rehman helped Afghanistan bundle out the opponents for 186 to win the game by 36 runs. 

Rashid Khan took 3/31, Yamin grabbed 2/34 while Mujeeb picked 2/39 for Afghanistan. Hashmatullah Shahidi with his fighting 73 runs, was awarded as the player of the match. 

With this happening, Afghanistan lead the 3-match ODI series 1-0, as well as 10 more points were added to Afghanistan’s tally at the ICC CWC Super League. Afghanistan carries 40 points from four games they have played in the competitions. The 2nd match of the series will be played on Sunday, January 23rd at the same venue.

Brief Scores

Afghanistan – 222/8 after 50 overs (H Shahidi 73, R Shah 70; B Glover 3/43)

Netherlands – 186/10 after 48 overs (S Edwards 68; R Khan 3/31)

Result – Afghanistan won by 36 runs