3rd ODI, Doha, January 25, 2022, 12:30 PM
Afghanistan
254/5(50.0ov)
Netherlands
179/10(42.4ov)
Afghanistan beat Netherlands by 75 runs
Right then! That is it from the coverage of this series. Afghanistan players pose for some pictures with the trophy as they seal the ODI series 3-0. They also gain vital 30 points in World Cup Super League. But the cricketing action does not stop here. Make sure you catch all the live coverage of West Indies vs England T20Is, Bangladesh Premier League and Big Bash League. Not to forget, Pakistan Super League 2022 is set to kick off on the 27th of January as well. We look forward to your company for all these games. Till then, Adios!
Hashmatullah Shahidi, the victorious skipper of Afghanistan, starts by congratulating his entire nation. Adds that they were struggling with the bat at the start but he had belief in his batting lineup and credits Najibullah Zadran by saying that he played a brilliant knock. Tells that they have some very talented youngsters and it is good for Afghanistan cricket.
Scott Edwards is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for his performance with the bat. He says that it is nice to bat at the top of the order and the wicket is best to bat on at the start of the innings. He adds that it would have been nice to get a big total but it is a big honour to receive this award. He mentions that he likes playing spin and it was a great opportunity to play against some quality spin bowlers and score runs.
Najibullah Zadran is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant knock of 71 runs.
Pieter Seelaar, the skipper of Netherlands, says that they bowled quite well in this series but credits Afghanistan for their bowling by saying that they were a bit too much for them. Tells that there were some positives for them as well, Scott Edwards has been exceptional throughout the series. Mentions that they will take away some positives but there were a lot of negatives and they must rectify their mistakes going ahead. Says that Afghanistan has completely outplayed them in this series and they deserve to win.
Stay tuned for the Presentation.
Earlier in the day, Afghanistan managed to deliver their best performance with the bat of the series as they crossed the 250-run mark for the first time. Once that total was put on the board, Netherlands were always behind the game and even though they started well, the fragile middle-order ensured that they are handed another convincing defeat.
Afghanistan were always favourites to defend this total but they were given a mighty scare by the opening stand. It was the debutant, Qais Ahmad, who provided the breakthrough and opened the gates for the Afghan bowlers to take charge. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals after that as the middle-order of Netherlands crumbled again under pressure. From 103-0, Netherlands crashed to being 179 all-out, all thanks to some quality bowling from Afghanistan and poor batting by Netherlands' middle-order. Credit should also be given to Hashmatullah Shahidi who used his bowlers to a great effect and made some inspiring bowling changes.
Netherlands got off to a promising start with the bat but it is often about how you end rather than how you start. A century partnership for the first wicket more often than not should take you home if you are chasing something around 250. However, the middle-order failed yet again and didn't live upto the task. Colin Ackermann seemed to be a lone warrior fighting it out in the middle after his opening partner, Edwards departed. Once he departed, all the hopes of Netherlands chasing the total came crashing down and in the end, were bundled out for just 179.
Afghanistan have registered a clean-sweep here! A dominating performance by them and they have gained all 30 World Cup Super League points which were up for grab in this series. Netherlands just could not match up with the quality of Afghanistan and will be disappointed with their effort in the series.
In over# 43
0W
1
0W
0
Qais Ahmad 32/3(7.4)
42.4
W
OUT! LBW! There it is! The debutant, Qais Ahmad finishes things off and he grabs his third wicket of the game! This was a flatter ball, around leg that straightens just that little bit after landing. Vivian Kingma looks to block off the back foot but he misses it and gets rapped in front. Afghanistan appeal and up goes umpire's finger! Afghanistan WIN BY 75 RUNS!
42.3
1
On a length, around middle. Brandon Glover nudges it towards short fine leg and takes a run.
42.2
W
OUT! LBW! Another one bites the dust! A fuller delivery on middle. Saqib Zulfiqar looks to sweep it but misses. The ball hits his pads and there is a huge appeal. The umpire raises his finger and Afghanistan are just a wicket away from a win now. Brandon Glover is the next batter in.
42.1
.
Flatter ball, drifting onto the pads. Saqib Zulfiqar looks to flick but he misses and gets hit on his pad.
In over# 42
0
0W
0
0
0
1
Rashid Khan 37/2(9)
41.6
.
Tossed up, outside off. Vivian Kingma looks for a sweep but he misses.
41.5
W
OUT! STUMPED! Philippe Boissevain departs and Afghanistan are just two wickets away now from a 3-0 series victory. A tossed up delivery around off. Philippe Boissevain pushes forward to drive but misses. He is off-balance while playing the shot and the keeper Ikram Alikhil (sub) is quick to whip the bails off. Philippe Boissevain back leg is out of the crease and he has to walk back. Vivian Kingma walks out to bat.
41.4
.
An appeal for LBW but the umpire says no! Fuller in length, angling down leg. Philippe Boissevain looks to sweep but he misses and gets hit on his pad.