Google News
Afghanistan successfully extended their winning streak and are currently 2 steps away from entering the semi-finals. As far as today's match is concerned, Netherlands won the toss and elected to bat first. Afghanistan got a wicket in the very first over, but that did not seem to pressure Netherlands, as their run rate was high till the first 11-12 overs.
Afghanistan achieved 4 run-outs in today's match, which flipped the game around in their favor.
A few run-outs coupled with a flawless spin attack restricted Netherlands to a low total of 179 runs (179-10) in 46.3 overs. Afghanistan played a calm innings and quite easily chased down the total in 31.3 overs (183-3). Afghanistan need 2 more wins to enter the semi-finals.
If NRR supports them, even one win will be enough.
Post Match interviews
Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan's Captain)
"I would say both, we bowled well but the run-chase also," Shahidi said as quoted by cricbuzz.com. "It's the third time we are achieving a target.
Especially in this World Cup, we are looking at the target of the opposition. We are playing according to the situation and achieving for the team. (On Mohammad Nabi) He is a special player. Whenever the team needs him, he shows the way.
We all are very united, we all are enjoying the wins and all of them are thinking about the team. We are trying our best to make it to the semi-finals. If we make it, it would be a big achievement for us. I lost my mother three months back, so my family is in pain, so it will be a big achievement for our country first and then for me also.
I would like to give a message - there are a lot of our refugee people in struggle, we all are watching their videos and we feel their pain. I dedicate this win for them".
Scott Edwards (Netherlands Captain)
"Definitely not ideal!
Four run-outs from our top five batters," Edwards said as quoted by cricbuzz.com. "We started well but we lost our way. They have top-quality spinners and we couldn't recover. You can't really plan for the dew. We have done well batting first, a 280 sort of score would have been good even with dew around. We will have to regroup and bring ourselves back for the England game".