Afghanistan will square off against the Netherlands in the 34th match of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Friday. Afghanistan has achieved impressive performances whereas the Netherlands has made the most of its resources.
We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form for Afghanistan: W W L W L
While Afghanistan spinners have been their strength, their batting unit has played a key role in the team’s success. Afghanistan batters are showing all the calmness at the crease while chasing tricky totals and they have done a fine job.
Current form for Netherlands: W L L W L
A lot of credit must be given to the Dutch for how they have played in the ongoing World Cup. The Scott Edwards-led team had stunned Bangladesh in their previous match and would want to carry the good show against Afghanistan.
Head to Head: Matches: 9, Won by Afghanistan: 7, Won by Netherlands: 2.
Afghanistan holds the advantage against the Netherlands in H2H.
Players to look out for: Scott Edwards, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, and Logan van Beek will hold the key for the Netherlands.
Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Fazalhaq Farooqi will be the crucial players for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen ul Haq.
Netherlands squad: Scott Edwards (c), Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh, Teja Nidamanuru, Paul van Meekeren, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Ryan Klein, Wesley Barresi, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad, Sybrand Engelbrecht.