Registering a 7-wicket win over Netherlands on Friday at Ekana Sports City in Lucknow, Afghanistan have raised their hopes of making it to the semi-final of the World Cup. Having decided to bat, Netherlands were bowled out for (179) in (46.3) overs with Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad returning with three and two wickets while Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed one wicket. Four of Netherlands’ batters were run out. In their chase of the target, Afghanistan lost their openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran cheaply for the scores of (10) and (20) but the half-centuries from Rahmat Shah (52) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (56*) respectively led the side to a seven-wicket win. With this win, Afghanistan have equalled New Zealand in terms of victories as they (Afghanistan) are on the fifth position with four wins out of seven matches. New Zealand are on the fourth place with four wins.
