World Cup 2023, Match 34 | Netherlands Predicted XI vs Afghanistan

image-lohgtryxNetherlands will be up against Afghanistan in the 34th match of the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

Things are heating up in terms of qualification for the 2023 World Cup as we approach the cue end. The Netherlands and Afghanistan will clash at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium, Lucknow in match 34 of the ongoing tournament. The match will commence at 2:00 PM IST.

Afghanistan had a great start to the tournament, winning three of their first six games. They had victories over England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka and have a solid chance of reaching the semi-finals. They are now sixth in the points rankings, with the same number of points from the same number of games. They are just one point behind Pakistan and two or three victories in their remaining games might help them advance to the semi-finals. 

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The Netherlands had a fantastic World Cup campaign, winning two key matches. The Netherlands have already beaten South Africa and Bangladesh in the tournament. They were also on the verge of defeating Pakistan but ended up on the wrong end. This is by far their best ever World Cup campaign with four points from six matches. They are placed above Bangladesh and England.

Having said that, let's have a quick look at Afghanistan's predicted XI against Netherlands.


Openers: Max O'Dowd and Vikramjit Singh

The opening pair of the Dutch hasn't really fired up to their potential. Vikramjit scored a fifty against Pakistan in their tournament opener but failed to continue with the momentum. His partner, O'Dowd has been even poorer with the bat. The 'Mullet man' of the Netherlands have scored only 61 runs in his last seven innings (including the warm-up match).


Middle Order: Wesley Barresi, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards and Sybrand Engelbrecht.

The Netherlands have a good middle order that includes batters such as Wesley Barresi, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards and Sybrand Engelbrecht.

Barresi is one of the oldest cricketers in the World Cup squad of the Netherlands. He was also a part of the 2011 CWC in India and has been getting late opportunities in the squad. Ackermann is one of their core middle order batters and can bowl some finger spin also. He is a skilful batter and has been tremendous with the bat during the County season in the UK recently.

Scott Edwards has been one of the match-winners for the Netherlands. Both his fifties in the mega-event came on a winning cause against South Africa and Bangladesh. Not just with the bat, Edwards has been a revelation as a captain of the Dutch as well.

Sybrand Engelbrect, a former South African cricketer who represents the Netherlands now is yet another exciting player to watchout. He has scored a fifty in the World Championship event but will look to get more consistent.


All-rounders: Bas de Leede, Logan van Beek and Roelof van der Merwe

Netherlands should have Roelof van der Merwe against Afghanistan if he's fit. In that case, Shariz Ahmed may get dropped. Roelof is a terrific cricketer and brings in a different atmosphere in the Dutch cricket fraternity. He can also be handy with his left-arm orthodox spin.

Bas de Leede and Logan van Beek should be the seam bowling all-rounders for Netherlands. The former has been good with the bat against Pakistan early in the tournament. He tends to bat up the order now and is a superb batter. He has also scalped 11 wickets from six matches. Logan has been good with the new ball and has bagged wicket upfront.


Bowlers: Aryan Dutt and Paul van Meekeren

The best part about Paul van Meekeren is that he has been brilliant with the old ball. Someone who was regarded for his new ball spells has been better in the second powerplay for the Dutch. That's the best part about him. He has got ten wickets from six matches and his spinning partner, Aryan Dutt has got eight in six matches. The left-arm orthodox spinner has been terrific inside the powerplay and hasn't leaked too many runs.


Netherlands Predicted XI against Afghanistan

Max O'Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Wesley Barresi, Scott Edwards (c/wk), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren