Pakistan (PAK) and the Netherlands (NED) will kick off their 2023 ODI World Cup campaign on October 6 at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Pakistan recently faced a 14-run defeat against Australia in a warm-up match at the same venue. Iftikhar Ahmed (83), Babar Azam (90), and Mohammad Nawaz (50) performed brilliantly with the bat, while Usama Mir took two wickets, and Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Haris Rauf each claimed one wicket.
Pakistan is eager to secure a victory in this match and begin the tournament on the right foot. The Netherlands, on the other hand, encountered rain interruptions in their two warm-up matches. The first match concluded with no result, and the second was abandoned without a toss. Key players for the Netherlands in their upcoming match against Pakistan include Max O’Dowd and Vikramjit Singh, who have each scored 503 and 441 runs in ODIs in 2023, and Bas de Leede and Logan van Beek, with 15 and 12 wickets respectively.
The Netherlands is determined to provide a strong challenge and secure a win. While Pakistan is the favourite to win this match, the Netherlands is poised to test them.
Pitch Report:
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is known for favouring batters in limited-overs cricket. In the second innings, the pitch provides support to medium-paced bowlers and spinners. The ball tends to lose pace when it hits the bat, and the pitch begins to offer a turn.
Head-to-Head
Pakistan has a perfect record against the Netherlands in the six ODIs they’ve contested, which includes the two ODI World Cup encounters.
ODI Statistics at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
In the seven ODIs held at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, pacers have secured 65 wickets at an average of 39.56, while spinners have claimed 30 wickets at an average of 41.23. Four games were won by the team batting first, while three were won by the chasing team. The typical first-innings score here is 288. Teams that win the toss would prefer to bat first.
X-Factors for Netherlands vs Pakistan
Pakistan:
Babar Azam is poised to be the key player for Pakistan in their match against the Netherlands. He’s been in outstanding form in 2023, amassing 745 runs with an impressive average of over 49.00, featuring two centuries and six half-centuries.
Furthermore, he boasts a strong track record against the Netherlands, having notched up 222 runs in three ODIs at a remarkable average of 74.00, including three half-centuries.
Netherlands:
Max O’Dowd is set to play a pivotal role for the Netherlands in their match against Pakistan. He’s shown good form with the bat in 2023, amassing 503 runs at an average of 38.69, including three half-centuries. O’Dowd will be one of the key players for the Netherlands when they face Pakistan.
Probable XIs:
Netherlands:
Scott Edwards(c)(WK), Vikramjit Singh, Bas de Leede, Max O’Dowd, Wesley Barresi, Colin Ackermann, l Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren, Logan van Beek, Shariz Ahmad
Pakistan:
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Usama Mir, Mohammad WasimÂ
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