Netherlands is all set to take on the Afghanistan in Match 34 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 on Friday, November 3 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Both the teams have a star-studded squad that can change the course of the game with their abilities. Netherlands is the favourite to win this encounter against Afghanistan.
Netherlands and Afghanistan have a fierce rivalry in the format. Both teams have played 9 ODI matches, with Netherlands winning 2 games and Afghanistan winning 7 games so far in the head to head encounters. In this article, we will take a look at the key player battles to watch out for in the match 34 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 between Netherlands and Afghanistan.
Also Read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Netherlands vs Afghanistan Top 3 Players Expected to Perform in Today Match
Here are three player battles to watch out for during NED vs AFG match:
1) Aryan Dutt vs Hashmatullah Shahidi
Both Aryan Dutt and Hashmatullah Shahidi come into this match in exceptional form. Shahidi, the Afghan captain, has successfully led his team to chase down targets against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, displaying confidence in himself and his side. Aryan Dutt, a tall off-spinner from the Netherlands, has also been impressive, posing a threat to batter with his ability to challenge both inside and outside edges. Shahidi must remain vigilant against Dutt’s prowess during the game.
2) Fazalhaq Farooqi vs Max O’Dowd
Max O’Dowd, the Dutch opener, has faced a tough World Cup, struggling to post significant scores and often falling early in the powerplay. Afghanistan’s left-arm fast bowler, Fazalhaq Farooqi, who recently delivered his best ODI bowling figures against Sri Lanka, will see O’Dowd’s vulnerability to the new ball as an opportunity to make an early breakthrough.
3) Paul van Meekeren vs Rahmat Shah
In their recent encounter against Bangladesh in Kolkata, Paul van Meekeren emerged as the standout performer for the Netherlands, securing four crucial wickets and earning the player of the match accolade. In the upcoming contest, he faces the challenging task of taking on Rahmat Shah, who has been Afghanistan’s reliable mainstay in the tournament. His ability to take early wickets highlights his potential to disrupt the Afghan batting order by targeting Rahmat Shah.