Afghanistan vs. Netherlands: 3rd One Day International

With Afghanistan leading the ODI series 2-0, they are in the hunt for a clean sweep victory against the home team Netherlands. In the first 3 ODIs, Afghanistan dominated the Netherlands in all departments, be it batting, bowling, or fielding. With timely contributions from Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan managed to put up a decent show with the bat in the last ODI. However, the Netherlands lost the plot and crumbled under 200, chasing 237 runs target set by Afghan batters. Considering the overall team balance and strengths of both the teams, Afghanistan has a great chance of clinching the series 3-0 and improving their reputation in the international circuit.

For the past five years, Afghanistan has played according to its strengths, depending upon its top order in the batting line and spinners in the bowling department. With the presence of Mujeeb Ur Rehman in their bowling group, Afghanistan is likely to create problems for Netherland's batsmen. In the previous game, Mujeeb finished his 10 overs quota with exceptional bowling figures of 4/32.

With the likes of Rashid Khan, Fareed Ahmend, Rahmat Shad, and Najeebullah Zadran, Afghanistan is in the hunt of winning the last ODI of the series and sweeping the series 3-0. With their captain Hashmatullah Shahidi leading from the front and keeping his boys gelled together, Afghanistan looks in decent shape and team cluster.

• Hashmatullah Shahidi;
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz;
• Mujeeb Ur Rehman;
• Rashid Khan;
• Fareed Ahmend.

After an unsatisfactory run in the T20 World cup, Netherlands’s team management and supporters expected better of this tour and individual performances from senior team members. However, Netherlands’s supporters can take many positives out of this tour and try focusing on developing consistent and mentally tough players, those who can stick to the plot and spend time in the middle. Comparing Netherland's batting to their bowling, they are doing reasonably well in the bowling department.

With Philippe Boissevain, Colin Ackerman, and Fred Klassen in their bowling ranks, they are quite comfortable in restricting down the opposition under 250. Targets under 250 can be chased down easily if the top and middle order batters are improving time in the middle and stroking at the required run rate. With the likes of Scott Edwards, Bas de Leede, and other bowling all rounders in the team, the Netherlands should put up a decent fight in the last ODI of the series and play for their nations’ pride.

• Philippe Boissevain;
• Colin Ackerman;
• Scott Edwards;
• Bas de Leede;
• Fred Klassen.

Comparing both sides’ performances and track record in the series, Afghanistan is likely to dominate the Netherlands. With quality spinners and attacking batsman in their side, Afghanistan has chances of making it a 3-0 series victory. The Netherlands has fairly low chances of securing a win out of the blue as these dry and rough conditions suit Afghan bowlers and batsmen.