After a 36-run win in the first ODI less than 48 hours ago, Afghanistan will look to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series when they take on the Netherlands on 23 January, in the second ODI, at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium, Doha.
In the series opener, Afghanistan were not at their fluent best after Pieter Seelaar asked them to bat. They could only manage 222/8, thanks to Rahmat Shah’s 70 and Hashmatullah Shahidi’s 73. The others could not even reach 25. For the Netherlands, Fred Klaassen and Brandon Glover shared five wickets, while Vivian Kingma, Philippe Boissevain and Colin Ackermann had one each.
The Netherlands got off to a steady start in reply. Scott Edwards and Musa Ahmed added 32 in 47 balls before the latter fell to Yamin Ahmadzai in the eighth over. Ackermann and Bas de Leede departed cheaply before Edwards and Seelaar shared a 51-run fourth-wicket stand. However, wickets kept falling in regular intervals after that, and the Dutch were bowled out for 186 in 48 overs.
With 3-31, Rashid Khan did the most damage for Afghanistan, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Ahmadzai claimed two wickets each. Sharafuddin Ashraf impressed with ball as well, despite not getting any wicket.
The Netherlands must play spin better to level the series. For that, Ackermann and Edwards have to bat for much longer. Their bowlers put on an impressive show last time, and will look to repeat the same. Afghanistan, on the other hand, are a comparatively stronger side on paper, and will be keen to increase the margin of win.
Likely XIs
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Usman Ghani Rahmat Shah, Shahidullah Kamal, Najibullah Zadran, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai.
Netherlands: Pieter Seelaar (c), Scott Edwards (wk), Colin Ackermann, Fred Klaassen, Bas de Leede, Brandon Glover, Saqib Zulfiqar, Philippe Boissevain, Boris Gorlee, Vivian Kingma, Musa Ahmed.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Place your bet in Afghanistan. Make Rashid captain and Mujeeb vice-captain.
- From the Netherlands, include Seelaar, Edwards, Ackermann and Klaassen.
Fantasy XI
Pieter Seelaar, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Scott Edwards, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Colin Ackermann, Fred Klaassen, Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (vc), Rashid Khan (c), Yamin Ahmadzai.