In the ongoing high-stakes encounter of Match 34 in the ICC Cricket ODI World Cup 2023 between the Netherlands and Afghanistan, a captivating moment unfolded as Netherlands’ skipper, Scott Edwards, faced a dramatic twist of fate at the hands of Afghanistan’s wicketkeeper Ikram Alikhil.

Match setting and team changes

The ongoing game is taking place at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Netherlands won the toss and, under Edwards’ captaincy, decided to bat first. Afghanistan, in their quest for victory, made a strategic change by including Noor Ahmad in their lineup, replacing Naveen Ul Haq. Meanwhile, the Netherlands made three notable changes, introducing Wesley Barresi in place of opener Vikramjit Singh. Roelof van der Merwe and Saqib Zulfiqar also secured spots in the playing XI.

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Netherlands’ promising start and sudden collapse

In the 12th over, the Dutch team displayed promise, reaching a score of 73/1. Everything seemed to be going well for them, and an intriguing contest was un??derway. However, the narrative of the game took an unexpected turn as they lost quick four wickets which reduced them to 97/5.

Scott Edwards falls victim to Ikram Alikhil’s skillful glovework

Edwards encountered a significant turning point in the match when he was dismissed in the form of fourth wicket for a golden duck. His dismissal occurred in the fifth ball of the 19th over, bowled by Mohammad Nabi. Edwards had chosen to attempt a sweep, but the ball didn’t respond as he had anticipated. It took an under-edge and veered off towards the wicketkeeper, Alikhil. Edwards, unaware of the ball’s location, moved down the pitch. This moment of confusion allowed Alikhil to efficiently collect the ball and, in a swift motion, dislodge the bails, sealing Edwards’ departure from the crease. The Dutch team eventually bundled out for 179.

Here’s the video:

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In the first of a three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Pakistan held in Sri Lanka, Pakistan asserted their dominance with an emphatic 142-run victory over the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghan side.???? This commanding win provided Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series.

The crucial coin toss favoured Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, who elected to bat first. However, Pakistan’s batters confronted a challenging pitch in Hambantota, one that proved to be sluggish and highly conducive to spin. Except for opener Imam-ul-Haq (61), who made a significant contribution and minor contributions from Iftikhar Ahmed (30) and Shadab Khan ?(39), ??Pakistan struggled to post a competitive total.

Afghanistan’s spin triumvirate, featuring the talents of Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3/33), Mohammad Nabi ( 2/34) and Rashid Khan (2/42), combined to stymie Pakistan,?? eventually restricting them to 201 in 47.1 overs.

Confronted with the task of chasing down this modest target, Pakistan’s bowlers embarked on a relentless and disciplined assault to defend the set total. The left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi spearheaded the destruction by claiming two wickets in two consecutive deliveries during the third over. His scalps included Ibrahim Zadran (0) and Rahmat Shah (0), leaving Afghanistan in dire straits.

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Haris Rauf demonstrates carnage with a phenomenal bowling exhibition

The demolition act didn’t relent as Haris Rauf was introduced into the attack with Afghanistan already reeling at 18-3 during the powerplay. He made an immediate impact, finding Ikram Alikhil‘s (4) inside edge with a rapid back-of-a-length delivery. In his fourth over, Rauf induced an edge from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (18) with a touch of outswing and the ball found its way to the wicketkeeper. Nabi (7) was the next victim, sending a catch straight to Agha Salman at short cover when trying to loft Rauf’s shorter delivery into the off side. Rashid (0) followed suit two balls later, bowled out by a magnificent delivery that pitched on a length around off stump, straightened and clipped the stumps.

Afghanistan continued to collapse and were eight wickets down with Azmatullah Omarzai having retired hurt when Rauf took the final wicket to complete his fifer. Mujeeb (4) tried to heave into the leg side but mistimed the delivery to give an easy catch to Naseem Shah at mid-on. Rauf concluded his spell with remarkable figures of 5-18 runs ??from 6.2 overs.

Here’s the video: 

The PoTM @HarisRauf14 put on an incredible bowling display as he returned with the figures of 5/18 off his 6.2 overs to help @TherealPCB win the first of #SuperColaCup 3-match ODI Series by 142 runs. 👍#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvPAK | #ByaMaidanGato pic.twitter.com/0IpDbphldK

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 22, 2023

Afghanistan was all-out for just 59 runs, marking their second-lowest ODI total ever in men’s ODIs and the lowest total ever recorded against Pakistan. The second ODI encounter between the two teams is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 24, at the same venue.

Also WATCH: Comedy of errors in Hambantota as Pakistan fielders goof up against Afghanistan

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Pakistan cricket has witnessed its fair share of fielding mishaps, and the first ODI against Afghanistan in the three-match  se??ries add??ed another chapter to the collection of amusing fielding blunders.

During the second innings of the match in Hambantota, Pakistan players unintentionally provided a comedic spectacle as they attempted to run out Afghanistan’s Ikram Alikhil. A routine pick and throw by a fielder stationed close to the 22-yard mark on the off-side should have led to Alikhil’s dismissal. However, what unfolded was a series of errors that left the players and spectators in disbelief.

Fakhar Zaman‘s throw missed the stumps by a considerable margin and ended up being so wild that it eluded wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan‘s grasp. The result was a missed opportunity and a fielding effort that left the Pakistan side visibly frustrated. Even the Afghanistan players in the dugout couldn’t help but share a smile at the unfolding comedy of errors.

Also WATCH: Mujeeb ur Rahman traps Babar Azam for a duck in the first ODI – AFG vs PAK 2023

Afghanistan bowled out Pakistan for 201

Earlier in the match, Afghanistan’s bowlers demonstrated their prowess by bundling out Pakistan for a mere 201 runs in 47.1 overs. The Afghan bowlers were led by Mujeeb ur Rahman, who claimed three wickets for 33 runs, while Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan combined to secure four scalps. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rahmat Shah each contributed with a wicket.

Pakistan’s innings saw Imam-ul-Haq as the top scorer with a resilient 61 runs off 94 balls. Despite the challenges posed by Afghanistan’s bowling attack, Pakistan was left to rue the missed opportunities in both the batting and fielding departments.

Here’s the video:

Pakistan!
.

.#AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/UKV17FhvmK

— FanCode (@FanCode) August 22, 2023

Also READ: Ian Bishop explains why India?? holds a decisive advantage in ODI World Cup 2023

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During the first ODI of three-match series between Afghanistan and West Indies in Lucknow, the Afghan wicketkeeper-batsman Ikram Alikhil’s ‘brain fade’ moment saw him walking back to the pavilion after scoring his second fifty in the 50-over format.

It all happened on the third delivery of the 27th over when Afghanistan batsman Rahmat Shah hit a Roston Chase delivery on the leg-??side to complete his 16th ODI half-century. Both the bats?men completed the single without any discomfort.

But, Alikhil’s eagerness to congratulate his partner saw him comically losing his wicket. While the ball was still in play, Alikhil left his crease, and the West Indies wicketkeeper Shai Hope made no mistake in removing the bails. Hope appealed, and umpire Paul Reiffel straight away went upstairs. Replays made it clear that Alikhil was out for a 62-ball 58.

A batting collapse followed Alikhil’s dismissal as Afghanistan scored just 194 runs in 45.2 overs after being sent in to bat first by the Windies skipper Kieron Pollard.

pic.twitter.com/yheGax4K3t

— Kumar Sourav (@AdamDhoni1) November 7, 2019

The Caribbea??n side won the Luckn??ow ODI by seven wickets to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

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