Two teams riding high on their recent victories look to spoil the other's party at Ekana on 3rd Nov.
Netherlands bounced back from their 309-run humiliation against Australia, as they defeated Bangladesh by a handsome margin of 87 runs.
Similarly, Afghanistan extended their good run, securing a clinical victory against Sri Lanka.
Both teams had met in a 3 match ODI series in early 2022.
Although Afghanistan whitewashed the Dutch, all 3 matches were low-scoring and could have gone either ways if the Dutch middle-order complimented their openers(what a turnaround!)
We expect a similar close encounter, as the stakes are high.
Afghanistan have an outside shot of making it to the top 4 and thus this is a must win match for them. Whereas, the Netherlands have a chance to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy, by finishing in the top 8 of the points table.
Probable XIs
Netherlands: Max O'Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Wesley Barresi, Colin Ackermann, Bas De Leede, Scott Edwards, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan Van Beek, Roelof Van Der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul Van Beek
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hasmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil/Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed, Fazal haq Farooqi
Updates:
Roelof Van Der Merwe is set to return after missing out the encounter at Edens due to illness
Ikram Alikhil received a blow to his finger against Sri Lanka which prevented him from taking part in the rest of the game. There's no surety on his participation at Ekana
Match Particulars
Date: 3 November 2023
Time: 2:00 PM IST
Venue: Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
Predictions
Expect a low scoring thriller, in accordance to the previous match Netherlands took part in and also the 2022 series between both sides.
Aryan Dutt against the Afghani openers and Paul Van Meekeren against the new resurgent Afghani middle order will be key battles.
Expect Afghani new-ball bowlers, especially Farooqi, to get early breakthroughs given how disappointing the Netherlands top order has been so far.
A 4 spinner attack is on the horizon when it comes to Afghanistan, and one can expect 30 overs of spin from their opposition.
Conditions:
Ekana lived up to its IPL 23 characteristics, overseeing a low scoring match against two explosive batting units.
Given its the 5th and last match at Lucknow for the tournament, we can expect spinners to make proper use of the wear-and-tear the pitch has suffered.
Pacers should get the bowl to move around in their opening spell.
240 is expected to be a winning score, given the capabilities of both batting units.
Interesting Matchups
Captain Edwards was the top scorer in the 2022 series, scoring 208 runs at an average of 69.33
Mujeeb was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 7 wickets at an average of 14.29
Interesting Stats:
Scott Edwards is 126 runs away from becoming the highest run-getter for Netherlands in ODIs
No one has picked up more ODI wickets at a better average than Rashid Khan(179 @20.71)
Players To Watch Out For
Scott Edwards: Captain Fantastic, Scott Edwards has led from the front in his team's success so far, scoring the most runs for his team, while being the only batsman of the side to average above 50.
He has also been brilliant behind the wicket, having the most catches as well as stumpings so far in the tournament, and has been impeccable in his bowling changes.
The Afghanistan series in 2022 was the breakthrough series for Scott and he would like to replicate those sweet knocks that he played against them.
Rahmat Shah: The highest run-getter for Afghanistan in ODIs, Rahmat seemed to be the first Afghan batter who would be able to compliment their phenomenal spinners. However, inconsistency prevented this and with Gurbaz and Ibrahim's rise at the top, Rahmat seemed to be left behind.
However he has done well so far in CWC 23. averaging 42.4 across 6 innings. He has especially stepped up in the previous 2 matches, securing consecutive half-centuries in winning efforts.
With the pitch expected to be tricky, it's crucial Rahmat continues his good form.