Afghanistan beat the Netherlands by 75 runs in the third ODI at West End Park International Cricket Stadium, Doha, to complete a 3-0 sweep in the three-match series. They took all the available World Cup League points (30) from the series as well.
The Netherlands were in control till 22nd over after being set 255. Colin Ackermann and Scott Edwards (54) added a 103-run opening wicket stand before the latter was pinned leg before by Qais Ahmad. Wickets kept falling in regular intervals from there, and they were eventually bowled out for 179 in 42.4 overs. Barring Ackermann (81) and Edwards, only Saqib Zulfiqar (13) reached double digits among his teammates.
Victory: @imqaisahmadd took the last two wickets to help AfghanAtalan beat the @KNCBcricket by 75 runs and complete the clean sweep (3-0) in the series.
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) January 25, 2022
Congratulations 🎉 #AfghanAtalan | #AFGvNED pic.twitter.com/AYrO3P3D3m
All six Afghanistan bowlers took at least a wicket. With 3-32, Qais did the most damage, while Rashid Khan returned 2-37. Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1-29), Fazalhaq Farooqi (1-30), Fareed Ahmad (1-23) and Azmatullah Omarzai (1-23) shared the other Netherlands wickets.
Earlier, Afghanistan got off to a slow start after opting to bat. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (12) and Riaz Hassan (50) managed only 22 in 55 balls before the former fell to Clayton Floyd in the 10th over. Rahmat Shah (48) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (28) then chipped in to keep the scoreboard ticking before Najibullah Zadran’s 59-ball 71, including eight fours and three sixes, helped them close on 254/5.
With impressive figures of 8-2-17-1, Floyd was the most impressive Netherlands bowler. The others went for over four and a half an over.
Brief Scores: Afghanistan 254/5 in 50 overs (Najibullah Zadran 71; Saqib Zulfiqar 1-13) beat the Netherlands 179 in 42.4 overs (Colin Ackermann 81; Qais Ahmad 3-32) by 75 runs. Player of the Match: Najibullah Zadran.
Afghanistan won the series 3-0. Player of the Series: Scott Edwards.