World Cup 2023 | NED vs AFG, Match 34 - Top Captain and Vice-captain Picks

image-logvaqz9Colin Ackermann will be an important player for the Netherlands against Afghanistan (Source: AP Photos)

Netherlands (NED) and Afghanistan (AFG) square off against each other in the ongoing sixteenth edition of the World Cup. The 34th match is scheduled for Friday, November 03, 2023, at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow at 2:00 PM IST. With two victories and four points, the Dutch are placed in the eighth position in the table, while with three wins and six points, the Afghans are placed in the sixth spot in the table. Before the game goes live, here is a look at the top captain and vice-captain choices for the fantasy contests of this encounter.

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NED vs AFG, 34th Match: Venue Analysis

The seam bowlers have picked up 39 wickets compared to the spinner's 23 in the four games played so far at the venue in this WC. Sides batting first and second, have had equal success in this tournament and overall in the 50-over format.

Ekana Cricket Stadium ODI Records

Matches: 8
Matches Won Batting First: 4
Matches Won Batting Second: 4

Average First Innings Total: 217
Average Second Innings Total: 209

World Cup 2023 Record

Matches: 4
Matches Won Batting First: 2
Matches Won Batting Second: 2

Average First Innings Total: 253
Average Second Innings Total: 196
Highest Total Recorded: 311/7 by South Africa vs Australia
Lowest Total Recorded: 129/10 by England vs India


NED vs AFG, 34th Match - Toss Factor

The track at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow could be on the drier side. The spinners and the pacer bowlers will both have their say on this surface. Keeping the dew in mind, the captain winning the toss might look to bowl first.

Scenario: If Netherlands Fields First

All-rounder Bas de Leede has picked up the most wickets (11) for the Dutch in this WC. He will look to keep taking wickets in the middle that, restricts the Afghans to a low score. Spinner Aryan Dutt has bowled with a solid economy rate of just 4.96. His job is also to contain the runs and will be crucial for the Netherlands to do it. Skipper Scott Edwards is their only player with over 200 runs, and he will again be a key member in a big run-chase.

Scenario: If Afghanistan Fields First

Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi delivered a match-winning spell against Sri Lanka in the last match with figures of 4/34 (10). He, along with the spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Mohammad Nabi, will play a vital role in bundling out the Dutch quickly and cheaply. Youngster Ibrahim Zadran and veteran Rahmat Shah hold the key while chasing a big target.


NED vs AFG, 34th Match - Top Captain and Vice-captain choices

Scenario: If Afghanistan Fields First

Ibrahim Zadran (AFG)

The 21-year-old Ibrahim Zadran has struck 212 runs in six innings at an average of 35.33 with one half-century to his name. The right-handed opening batter has got starts in all matches in this WC with scores of 22, 22, 28, 14, 87 and 39. He is a vital cog right at the top of the order for the Afghans if they are facing a huge target.

Rahmat Shah (AFG)

Experience campaigner and Afghanistan's leading run-getter in the ODI format, Rahmat Shah has also managed to amass 212 runs in this campaign so far. After a slow start, the no. three right-handed batter has scores of 36, 77* and 62 in his last three outings. He will also have to shoulder the responsibility for his side in chasing down the target.


Scenario: If Netherlands Fields First

Scott Edwards (NED)

Captain Scott Edwards has been leading his side from the front with the bat too. As mentioned above, he is the only Dutch batter with over 200 runs to his name so far in this WC. The right-handed middle-order player is averaging 51.00 with two half-centuries. The Netherlands rely heavily on him, especially in a run-chase.

Sybrand Engelbrecht (NED)

Sybrand Engelbrecht has struck the second-most runs for the Dutch so far after skipper Edwards. The right-handed player has 164 runs in five innings at an average of 33 with one half-century under his belt. He has scores of 29, 19, 70, 11 and 35 and the Dutch will hope that he contributes more against Afghanistan while chasing.


NED vs AFG, 34th Match - Big Risk, Big Return Choices

Colin Ackermann (NED)

Colin Ackermann has racked up the third-most runs for the Netherlands so far. The right-hander is averaging 25.33 with one half-century. Without a single-digit score in any of his six innings so far, Ackermann is a risky but worthy pick for this contest.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG)

Destructive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz has scored only 76 runs in three innings while chasing in this WC. Still, he is the joint-highest run-scorer for his side in the ongoing marquee tournament with 224 runs in six innings. The explosive opener is always a huge threat for the opposition and is a good pick for this tie.