AFG vs NED, World Cup 2023 Match 34: Awards List, Man of The Match, Key Stats, Presentation Ceremony

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AFG vs NED, World Cup 2023 Match 34: Afghanistan defeated Netherlands by seven wickets at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, November 3 to go past Pakistan and occupy the fifth spot in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 points table.

Afghanistan and fourth-placed New Zealand have eight points each from seven matches. Pakistan have six points from seven matches. Third-placed Australia have eight points from six matches.

Netherlands could manage to score 179 in 46.3 overs after opting to bat first. They were 92/2 at one stage but two successive run outs changed the entire complexion of the game. Colin Ackermann and captain Scott Edward got run out on the third and fourth ball of the 19th over.

Netherlands top-scorer Sybrand Engelbrechth (58) and opener Max ODowd (42) also got run out. In total four of their top five batters go run out. Spinners Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad picked three and two wickets respectively.

In reply, Afghanistan chased down the 180-run target in 31.3 overs. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (10) and Ibrahim Zadran (20) partnered for 27 runs before the former got out after a smart review from Edwards The replays showed the ball touching Gurbaz's gloves before landing into his wicket-keeping gloves.

However, fifties from Rahmat Shah (52) and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (56*) took the game completely away from the Netherlands. Azmatullah Omarzai remained unbeaten on 31 off 28.

AFG vs NED, World Cup 2023: Full List of Awards

Man of the Match: Mohammad Nabi (AFG) for picking 3 wickets for 28 runs in 9.3 overs.

AFG vs NED, World Cup 2023: Who Said What?

Mohammad Nabi (Man of the Match): Just focused on my line and length, focused on bowling dot balls. Always try to be consistent with my line and length and use my variations. Always stick to my plans and use the angles. Variations are more variable on some pitches and that’s why I get wickets. I always try to keep it tight and hence bowl with a good economy. Work on my fitness and my diet, still my body is going good and happy to play for Afghanistan.

Scott Edwards (Netherlands captain): Definitely not ideal! Four run-outs from our top five batters. We started well but we lost our way. They have top-quality spinners and we couldn't recover. You can't really 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.

Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan captain): I would say both, we bowled well but the run-chase also. 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 refugee people in struggle, we all are watching their videos and we feel their pain. I dedicate this win to them.

AFG vs NED Key Stats

• 3: Afghanistan have chased totals three times at World Cup 2023. India have chased on more (5) occasions.
• 3: Rahmat Shah has now scored three consecutive fifties. It's the most by Afghanistan player in World Cup history
• 5: Hashmatullah Shahidi has the most fifty-plus scores for Afghanistan in World Cups