CWC23 : Afghanistan beat the Netherlands to boost semi-final hopes

Afghanistan continued their late surge for a place in the World Cup semi-finals with a comfortable seven-wicket win over the Netherlands in Lucknow.

The victory moves Afghanistan level with Australia and New Zealand on eight points, with only net run-rate now keeping them out of the top four.

Hashmatullah Shahidi hit an unbeaten 56 as Afghanistan passed their target of 180 with 18.3 overs to spare. Netherlands were earlier dismissed for 179 inside 47 overs.

The win tees up a potentially pivotal encounter against Australia in Mumbai on Tuesday, though the five-time winners have a game in hand against England on Saturday.

Afghanistan also still have to play in-form South Africa in their final group game.

Pakistan are also still in the top-four race and can move to eight points if they beat New Zealand in Saturday’s early match.