Ekana Cricket Stadium Lucknow Ground Stats For NED vs AFG World Cup 2023 Match

Kashish Chadha

image-logs6134Ekana Stadium in Lucknow (Twitter)

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Netherlands and Afghanistan face-off in Match 34 of the ICC World Cup 2023 at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Friday (November 3). The spin-friendly conditions of one of the newest venues on Indian shores makes it a perfect setting for the spirited Afghans to face the resilient Dutchmen. 

With a battery of tweakers led by spin king Rashid Khan up their sleeves, Afghanistan will stand highly optimistic of clinching their fourth triumph in what has been a remarkable campaign, featuring major wins over England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 

Another win would not only keep their knock-outs contention alive but also propel Afghanistan to a landmark maiden entry in the Champions Trophy. Irrespective of the result in the following match-ups with South Africa and Australia, four wins in nine matches are expected to be enough for the Afghans to end within the top 8 in the World Cup standings. 

From the Dutch perspective, the semifinals maybe realistically out of the equation but a Champions Trophy slot could be a more pragmatic and yet pathbreaking goal to play for. Having dislodged South Africa and Bangladesh in their inspiring run, one more win could well open doors enroute to Pakistan for what could be an epic tale to tell.


Ekana Cricket Stadium Ground Stats

Of the nine previous One-Day Internationals played at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, the ground has witnessed an equal 4-4 split in terms of results for sides batting first and chasing at the ground, which is a surprise despite the surfaces' dry nature given the heavy dew under lights.


Ekana Stadium Ground Stats
Total Matches9
Matches Won (Batting First)4
Matches Won (Batting Second) 4
Highest Team Total311/7 by South Africa vs Australia, 2023
Lowest Team Total129/10 by England vs India, 2023
Average Runs Per Over4.95
Average Runs Per Wicket31.10
Average Total Batting 1st 231

In the previous World Cup 2023 clash at the venue, India stuttered along for once to a modest 229/9 in their 50 overs but still butchered England by a huge margin of 100 runs in an outcome that underlined the tricky nature of the batting conditions on offer. 

A similar pitch for the Netherlands-Afghanistan game would give Afghans the tag of massive favourites as they can then unleash their four-pronged spin attack on the fighting but inexperienced Dutchmen.