The 28th match of ODI World Cup 2023 will see the Netherlands square off against Bangladesh. Both teams find themselves in the bottom half of the points table, with Bangladesh in ninth place and the Netherlands occupying the 10th spot.
The Netherlands enters this match on the heels of a disheartening defeat to Australia. Their World Cup journey has been a rollercoaster ride, with glimpses of promise overshadowed by inconsistency.
Notably, they managed to stun South Africa with a victory that reverberated through the cricketing world.
Unfortunately, they have since struggled, succumbing to the likes of Sri Lanka and, more recently, Australia in a record-breaking loss of 309-run margin.
In the batting department, the Netherlands’ reliance primarily falls on the capable shoulders of all-rounder Colin Ackermann and their skipper, Scott Edwards.
While Edwards has exhibited admirable form, averaging over 45 in the tournament, the Dutch desperately need stronger support from their other batters.
Bowling-wise, seamer Bas de Leede has been a beacon of hope for the Dutch. With nine wickets to his name in just five matches, he stands as their leading wicket-taker.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, began their campaign with a promising win against Afghanistan. However, they have since encountered a string of four consecutive defeats, dashing their hopes of a semi-final berth.
The absence of star players such as Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan has proved a formidable challenge. Bangladesh are yet to replicate what they are known for.
Shakib Al Hasan is expected to lead by example, contributing with both bat and ball. The onus is on him to deliver a game-changing performance to revive Bangladesh’s World Cup aspirations.
In the batting department, Mohammad Mahmudullah has emerged as the leading run-scorer for Bangladesh, exuding confidence after a recent century against South Africa. With Tamim and Shakib absent, Mahmudullah’s role becomes even more pivotal.
Bangladesh possesses a trio of bowlers, each with six wickets in the 2023 Cricket World Cup, without a standout figure. This creates an opportunity for spinner Mehidy Hasan to seize the moment and deliver a match-winning performance in conditions that might favor his craft.
As these two teams lock horns, they both seek redemption and revival in a tournament that has already had its fair share of surprises.
With crucial points at stake, the contest between the Netherlands and Bangladesh promises to be an intriguing battle for cricket aficionados worldwide.
NED vs BAN Probable XI
Netherlands: Vikramjit Singh, Max ODowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards(w/c), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud
Also Read: AUS vs NZ 27th Match, ODI World Cup 2023: Preview, Playing XI, All You Need To Know
