World Cup ODI 2023

PAK vs. NED, Match 2

Preview

Babar Azam-led Pakistan is all set to face Scott Edwards-led Netherlands in the second match of the World Cup ODI 2023. This match is scheduled to take place from Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad on Friday, 06th October 2023. The second-ranked team in the ODI rankings PAK will look to dominate the 14th-placed side in the world Netherlands in this match.

Men in green are well known for their well-oiled bowling skills, however, in the two warm-up games they conceded over 320+ runs which can be turned out as a hair-raising problem for PAK in this World ODI series. The number one batter in the world and skipper of the side Babar Azam-led Pakistan will be keen to start their World Cup campaign with a massive win over the Netherlands. The team management will be hoping that the side can execute their plans well against Scott Edwards' NED.

The Netherlands did not get the opportunity to show their skills with the bat and bowl in India as their warm-up matches got abandoned due to rain. They had to play against Australia and India in the warm-up matches but that did not happen. However, NED will directly now face PAK in their opening match of the tournament where they will try to give their best against one of the best cricket sides in this format.

The Green Shirts will be keen to field their strongest combination for their opening match against the Netherlands, PAK has already suffered a massive blow just days before the start of the competition as star fast bowler Naseem Shah was effectively ruled out due to a shoulder injury which he got during Asia Series 2023. Babar Azam's captaincy will be tested on Indian soil and will also be under the scanner after PAK crashed out of the Asia ODI Series 2023 played in August. On the batting front, PAK will be relying on the likes of its top-placed batter Babar Azam, swashbuckling opener Fakhar Zaman, Imam-Ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed to produce the runs whenever the team demands from them. In the bowling department, the pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali will play a huge role throughout the tournament. The spin web of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz are expected to be prominent spinners for Pakistan for this opening clash.

Talking about the Netherlands, they will be heading for this World Cup ODI as an underdog. Skipper Scott Edwards-led NED put in some excellent performances to qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup 2023 after beating Scotland to secure the berth for this marquee event. The likes of Colin Ackermann, Logan Van Beek, Paul Van Meekeren, Roelof van der Merwe and Max O’Dowd are all experienced players named in the squad for the showpiece event for the Netherlands who will try to give everything in this tournament. Their batting will be heavily relying on the likes of skipper Scott Edwards, experienced opener Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, and other middle-order batters to showcase some damage against PAK in this match. NED does not have the depth in its bowling side but the side will try to stick to the resources which they have. The likes of Bas De Leede, Ryan Klein, and Paul Van Meekeren can produce a show against PAK. However, the spin trio of Shariz Ahmed, Aryan Dutt and Roelof van der Merwe can also deliver timely breakthroughs.

PAK and NED already competed six times in the history of the ODI and Men in Green always has the upper hand against NED in this format of the game. Men in green will take heart from the fact that PAK has won their previous two World Cup ODI encounters in 1996 and 2003 against the Netherlands.

Match Details

Match: World Cup ODI 2023, PAK vs NED, Match 2

Date: Friday, October 06, 2023

Time: 02:00 PM IST

Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad

Pitch and Weather Report

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is well known for its batting track. The bowlers need to show discipline in their line and lengths to take wickets with the new ball. The spinners will have a pivotal role to play in the outcome of the match. The pitch is no stranger to cricketing action, and it's the perfect stage for this high-profile clash. The pitch at this venue offers a variety of challenges for both batters and bowlers.

The weather forecast for Friday’s game is going to be bright and sunny, and the maximum temperature to be around 32' and minimum 22'. 

PAK vs. NED Squads

PAK: Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim

NED: Scott Edwards (C), Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh, Teja Nidamanuru, Paul van Meekeren, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Ryan Klein, Wesley Barresi, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad, Sybrand Engelbrecht

PAK vs. NED Probable Playing XIs

ENG: Babar Azam (C), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-Ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi.

NZ: Scott Edwards (captain &wk), Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Bas De Leede, Colin Ackermann, Teja Nidamanuru, Aryan Dutt, Shariz Ahmed, Roelof van der Merwe, Ryan Klein, Paul van Meekeren

Match Prediction

Men in green will enter the contest as firm favourites against the NED. Pakistani side possesses a lot of experience and they will utilise that against NED, with the likes of Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan in excellent form this season. Pakistan will be hoping for a huge win against NED in this match and to dominate the Dutch side.

PAK has a very balanced squad, and we believe them to start the tournament as the favourites.

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