CWC 2023: Netherlands vs Afghanistan match preview

The sixth-placed Afghanistan take on the eighth-placed Netherlands in an important clash in Lucknow as far as the semi-final chances of either teams as well as a few other teams watching are concerned. Both Netherlands and Afghanistan are coming into this game on the back of victories against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively.

Afghanistan’s batting has shone through, with their middle order coming good twice in a row. Ikram Alikhil injured his finger in the last game and there is no clarity yet on his availability, but apart from that, Afghanistan should stick to the same lineup. Netherlands might consider bringing in left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe in the XI if they feel they need an extra spinner on the Lucknow surface. If not, they can stick with the same team as well.

NED vs AFG fantasy tips

# The Afghan senior batting pair of Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi have stormed back into form, scoring three half-centuries between them in the last two matches combined. Both should make it to your XI.

# Aryan Dutt has picked eight wickets from six matches at this World Cup at an economy rate of 4.96. The Lucknow surface will aid his off-spin as well. He should feature in your lineup.

# Azmatullah Omarzai averages 50.8 with the bat, striking at 97.6 with two half centuries in the 2023 World Cup so far. His lowest score from five innings has been 19. He should be a certainty in your XI, especially given that the can contribute with the ball as well.

# Paul van Meekeran has taken 10 wickets from six games in this World Cup, including a four-for in the last match against Bangladesh. He should feature in your XI.

Netherlands vs Afghanistan: Predicted XI

Netherlands: Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Wesley Baressi, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Scott Edwards (c) (wk), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Shariz Ahmed, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

NED vs AFG: Dream11 team

Wicketkeepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Scott Edwards

Batters: Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi

All-rounders: Colin Ackermann, Logan van Beek, Azmatullah Omarzai, Bas de Leede

Bowlers: Paul van Meekeren, Rashid Khan, Aryan Dutt

Captaincy options: Rashid Khan, Bas de Leede, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Potential swaps: Ibrahim Zadran in place of Rahmat Shah, Fazalhaq Farooqi in place of Aryan Dutt