In the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023, Pakistan faces a challenging situation against a confident Netherlands team on Friday, October 6, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Netherlands’ journey to the World Cup is noteworthy, as they surprised many by earning their spot through impressive performances in the Qualifiers, even defeating the West Indies in a Super Over. While they fell short in the final against Sri Lanka, they secured their place in the marquee event in India. The Dutch squad boasts a blend of youth and experience, with Vikramjit Singh and Max O’Dowd forming a reliable opening partnership. Vikramjit was their top run-scorer in the Qualifiers, while skipper Scott Edwards had a superb tournament with both runs and consistency.
All-rounders Bas de Leede and Logan van Beek add depth to the team, but they’ll need to improve their performance against quality spinners. Facing Pakistan, they must be cautious of the pace duo, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, who proved their mettle in a warm-up match against Australia.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s recent form has been inconsistent, with a mixed bag of results in various series. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been in good form, but they’ll need support from players like Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman for a successful campaign. Pakistan’s fast bowlers will play a pivotal role, especially in the absence of Naseem Shah due to injury. Shadab Khan’s form is a concern, but Mohammad Nawaz’s recent performances offer hope.
Both teams bring their strengths and challenges to this ODI World Cup clash, promising an exciting match on October 6.
PAK vs NED World Cup 2023 Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Pitch Report Today Match
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has a history of favoring batsmen, evident in the two warm-up matches where scores above 300 were achieved in all four innings. Opting to bat after winning the toss seems wise, but a total under 350 remains within reach for the chasing team. Pakistan, having played both their warm-up games here, holds an advantage in understanding the pitch and conditions compared to their opponents.
PAK vs NED World Cup 2023 Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Avg Score, Highest Total and Other Stats
| Total matches | 7 |
| Matches won batting first | 4 |
| Matches won bowling first | 3 |
| Average 1st Inns scores | 288 |
| Average 2nd Inns scores | 262 |
| Highest total recorded | 350/4 (50 Ov) by AUS vs IND |
| Lowest total recorded | 174/10 (36.1 Ov) by ENG vs IND |
| Highest score chased | 252/5 (48.5 Ov) by RSA vs IND |
| Lowest score defended | 290/7 (50 Ov) by AUS vs IND |
Also read: World Cup 2023: Top 5 Players to Watch Out in Pakistan vs Netherlands Today Match
PAK vs NED Probable Playing XI
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Netherlands: Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Wesley Barresi, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (C & wk), Shariz Ahmad, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren