(Cricket news) The final ODI match between Afghanistan and Netherlands will be played today as Pieter Seelaar will be looking for a consolation victory. Afghanistan have already won the series by winning the first two matches and will be now eager for a whitewash at Qatar.
The first two matches showed it was a bowler friendly pitch and both the teams have had economical spells. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan have been leading the bowling attack for the series winners, the spinners have helped the team in defending low totals in both the matches. Fareed Ahmad Malik stood out as a pacer in the second match and can do the same in the third ODI.
Netherlands has had a good bowling performance so far, Fred Klaassen has been the only one from his side to bowl full spells in both the matches. Klaassen took two wickets in each match but in the first one his economy was under 4 and in the second it was under 6. The pacer will have to lead the attack in taking care of the top order, if they can take 4 wickets before the 100 run mark they have a chance of winning the match.
In both the matches, the top order of Afghanistan has managed to score more than 150 runs, in the first match they put up 200 so if the men in orange can devise a method to overcome the top order then it will be an easier target to chase. Netherlands has been struggling with the bat, wicketkeeper Scott Edwards has been the only one who has scored 35 runs in both the matches. Edwards has scores of 68, 86 and once again it will be upto him to lead the batting attack as he has found no partners to give him company in the non striker end. The team will have to get past the 200 run mark and also have not yet hit a maximum in the series. Edwards will have to once again take the responsibility and if they are batting first then a score of 250 can definitely give them a victory.
Afghanistan’s batters have somehow managed to score runs in the first few overs as they have not been able to get it right in the death overs. The top order has been bringing in the runs as the lower order has not got a chance to bring in the goods with the bat. Hashmatullah Shahidi has been in form with 50 plus scores in both matches and has formed a strong partnership with Rahmat Shah. Shahidi led Afghanistan is a strong favorite and a hat trick win is expected for a sweet end to the series.
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