Afghanistan v Netherlands - ICC Intercontinental Cup – 2nd Day’s Update
Netherlands 133 & 228 v Afghanistan 129 & 111/6 (35.1 ov) - Afghanistan require another 122 runs with 4 wickets remaining
At stumps on the second day of the ongoing International Cricket Council (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625) Intercontinental Cup, Afghanistan posted 111 runs in the second innings and now require another 122 runs in the four-day match with four wickets in hand at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
With both sides fighting it out and giving some of the fieriest competition to each other, the third day is all set to see a final conclusion to the extravaganza, and while Netherlands appear to be in a winnable position, Afghanistan cannot be written off as they have shown time and time again that they are a very dangerous side capable of bouncing back from a losing position.
The day began with Netherlands resuming their second innings on seven runs for the loss of one wicket.
They had the whole day to themselves and were raring to post a staggering total on the board, but were later prevented by some impressive bowling from the fielding side.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Michael-Swart-c76222 and Tom Heggelman proved fatal for Afghanistan, as they dominated the bowlers early in the day.
The duo hammered a partnership of 50 runs, as they played the Afghan bowlers with zeal.
Swart was the first causality of the day as he fell after playing an innings of 24 runs off 51 deliveries.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ES-Szwarczynski-c1423 then departed without making a big contribution as he was removed after scoring only a run.
Later, with 110 runs on the board, it was time for Netherlands’ ace batsman Heggelman to take a walk back to the pavilion as he lost his wicket after smashing a knock of 59 runs.
The demise of the top batsman, however, did not falter Netherlands as the lower-order batsmen steadfast and kept the scoreboard ticking.
This was perhaps, Afghanistan’s biggest fault as they should have wrapped up http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Netherlands-c753, but looked unfocussed at death overs which helped the Dutch post a competitive total on the board.
Netherlands skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pieter-Marinus-Seelaar-c82273 played a vital role near the end of the innings as both batsmen hammered 43 runs.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Afghanistan-c745 then lost three of their top batsmen with only 33 runs on the board, as they initiated a tough run chase.
However, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Asghar-Stanikzai-c1094, created some problems for the bowlers as he stood defiant and belted 43 runs before falling.
Dawlat Zadran was the last wicket to fall before play ended with wicketkeeper/batsman Afsar Zazai standing unbeaten on 13 runs.
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