ICC World Cup, PAK vs NED | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Pakistan players batting in Hyderabad in World Cup warm-up matches (AP Photos)

With visa concerns finally behind them, Pakistan, with smiles on their faces, will play their opening World Cup match on Friday (October 6), against the Netherlands at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. 

The Men in Green, led by the No. 1-ranked ODI batsman in the world, Babar Azam, will look to get off the campaign with a thunderous start against a spirited Dutch side, who did not have great warm-ups due to unpleasant weather conditions ahead of the main event.

PAK vs NED: Team Previews

Pakistan

Shaheen Afridi will be leading the Pakistan attack vs Netherlands (AP Photos)

Both of Pakistan's warm-up games, against Australia and New Zealand, were played in Hyderabad. Despite the fact that the Men in Green lost both of them, many positives from those fixtures will give them a major boost ahead of the Netherlands fixture.

Pakistan have a star-studded batting unit, starring Babar, Imam-ul-Haq, and Mohammad Rizwan, among others. Iftikhar Ahmed, their designated finisher, has also been in a rich vein of form, whereas the call to pick one between Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique will be an interesting one.

---

ALSO READ

World Cup 2023 | Pakistan's Trump Card - Mohammad Rizwan

---

Pakistan’s bowling unit suffered a huge blow after Naseem Shah’s injury during the recently-concluded Asia Cup. Shaheen Afridi won’t have his new ball partner in this grandest event, with Hasan Ali likely to replace him initially.

Given that Usama Mir was one of the wicket-takers in the most recent warm-ups, Pakistan might pick him ahead of Mohammad Nawaz in the Netherlands fixture.

The Netherlands

Roelof van der Merwe is likely to play his final ODI World Cup (AP Photos)

Both of the Netherlands' warm-up matches against Australia and India were called off as a result of the continuous rain. While the Dutch side had the chance to play a few overs against the Aussies, their match against India was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

The Netherlands attack, spearheaded by Bas de Leede and Roelof van der Merwe, took seven Australian wickets in 23 overs in a rain-marred contest. Their batting lineup, however, fell short as three of them lost their wickets to Mitchell Starc in consecutive deliveries.

If the Netherlands want to produce a spirited performance, the likes of Vikramjit Singh, Max O'Dowd, Wesley Barresi, and Colin Ackermann must provide support to Scott Edwards, who had a scintillating T20 World Cup last year in Australia.

PAK vs NED: Match Details & Live Streaming

PAK vs NED: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Pitch Report

The Hyderabad pitch is a batter's paradise, as we saw during warm-ups, and the short boundaries make the conditions even more favourable for them. The bounce at this surface will allow the batters to play even more freely, and thus, don't be surprised if we witness a high-scoring affair even if the Netherlands bat first.

PAK vs NED: Probable Playing XIs

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf

Netherlands: Vikramjit Singh, Max O'Dowd, Wesley Barresi, Scott Edwards (c & wk), Bas de Leede, Saqib Zulfiqar, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Shariz Ahmad, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren

---

ALSO READ

World Cup 2023 | Netherland's Trump Card - Bas de Leede

---

PAK vs NED: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Captain: Babar Azam
Vice-Captain: Shaheen Afridi

PAK vs NED: Winner Prediction

Given that Pakistan have already played a few games in Hyderabad, expect them to register a statement victory against the Netherlands.