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The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan registered their fourth win in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 after beating the Netherlands by seven wickets. The 2023 campaign continues to emerge as Afghanistan's most successful World Cup as they are two wins away from reaching their maiden semi-final.
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The Dutch won the toss and started poorly with the bat as they lost Wesley Barresi in the first over. Rescuing the innings, Max ODowd and Colin Ackermann built a solid 73-run stand but with ODowd's wicket, the troubles continued for the Dutch. Sybrand Engelbrecht continued scoring quality runs but the other batters fell apart like nine pins.
Engelbrecht ended up 58 in 86 balls but the Afghan bowlers ensured that the Netherlands were bundled out at a score of 179 in 46.2 overs. For Afghanistan, Mohammad Nabi picked up three wickets while Noor Ahmad continued his incredible performance to end up with two wickets.
In the second innings, it was business as usual for Afghanistan as the trusted middle order clinically chased down this target. Despite a poor start with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran getting out cheaply, Rahmat Shah and Shahidi scored crucial half-centuries. Then Azmatullah Omarzai's late flurry and Hashmatullah Shahidi's finishing boundary ensured a seven-wicket win for Afghanistan.
