Cricket World Cup: Afghanistan boost semi-final hopes with big victory over the Netherlands

Afghanistan made it three wins in a row with a seven-wicket success over Netherlands to boost their hopes of making the Cricket World Cup semi-finals.

Sybrand Engelbrecht hit 58 for Netherlands, but was run-out by Mohammad Nabi, who claimed 3-28 to help dismiss the Dutch for 179 inside 47 overs.

It never looked like being enough and, after Rahmat Shah (52) passed fifty, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi guided Afghanistan over the line with an unbeaten 56 to move them up to fifth in the table after a fourth victory of the tournament.

Afghanistan still have two matches in the league phase of global tournament remaining, against Australia and South Africa, and will need to win both to have a realistic opportunity to qualify for the playoffs.

The Netherlands have won two of their seven matches at the event and still have games against England and hosts India to come.

READ MORE: Ben Stokes confirms he will have knee surgery at the conclusion of Cricket World Cup campaign