The 2nd Match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is the clash of two unpredictable sides. Pakistan will meet Netherlands at Hyderabad on 6th October 2023. Netherlands is the only associate nation featuring in this year’s world cup, but they are capable of doing upsets. Pakistan already have their name in World Champions list and would love to have another world title to their name by successfully starting this year’s campaign.
Following is the Preview of Pakistan vs Netherlands Today Match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Pakistan vs Netherlands Today Match Preview
It is safe to say that both Pakistan and Netherlands can be very unpredictable at times. Both sides have done surprising things in the past to earn this tag. The last ICC event that these two teams took part in was the ICC World T20 2022. Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe in that event and yet played the finals. Netherlands in the same event pulled of a stunning victory over South Africa to stun everyone.
Netherlands have taken the hard route to qualify for the World Cup 2023. They played the qualifiers first and they qualified for the event ahead of the two test playing nations in the qualifiers (Zimbabwe and West Indies).
The conditions of Hyderabad are supportive for the batters. The teams proved in warmup games that big scores can be made here. Pakistan played both of their warmup games here and they have understood the conditions well. Netherlands had put up a good show against the Aussies with the ball, while they were terrible with the bat.
Pakistan will begin the game as favorites as they have played both of their warmup matches here and also have a much better side. Netherlands will be the dark-horses and certainly have the ability to surprise Pakistan.
Pakistan vs Netherlands WC 2023 Playing XI
Pakistan expected Playing XI:
Pakistan will have to make a call between Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman. With Salman not doing well in the last few games, Saud Shakeel might played ahead of him. Moreover, the debate remains open over Usama or Shadab. Shadab Khan is the vice-captain of the unit, but his bowling form is terrible and Usama Mir looks clearly better. However, the management still looks to support Shadab Khan.
Probable Lineup: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel/Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan/Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf
Netherlands expected Playing XI:
Netherlands have a full strength unit this time. They previously missed on some of their key stars as they were playing cricket in English domestic season but now all of them are available for the World Cup.
Probable Lineup: Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Wesley Barresi, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (C&WK), Ryan Klein, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Shariz Ahmed and Paul van Meekeren
Pakistan vs Netherlands to Head Record
Both sides have locked horns twice in world cup history and both games have been won by Pakistan. Overall, both sides have met 6 times in ODI cricket and Netherlands have never defeated Pakistan.
Players to watch-out for
For Pakistan, their key batters are Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed. Rizwan and Iftikhar are averaging 60+ with the bat this year in ODIs while Babar is the top run getter for Pakistan this year. All 3 batters showed excellent form in the warmup games as well and are likely to score big against the Dutch as well. Pakistan cannot expect much from their bowlers. Shaheen has looked a little off and Haris Rauf conceded 97 in the warmup game against Australia while the spinners are already a sign of concern for them.
For the Dutch, Bas de Leede and Logan Van Beek remain their key bowlers. In his last 7 ODIs, Bas de Leede has 15 wickets and his economy rate is under 6. Logan van Beek also has 12 wickets in his last 8 matches. With the bat, Max O’Dowd and Vikramjeet Singh have showed good rhythm this year in ODI cricket and they will surely need to bat well at the top in order to win against Pakistan.
