The 13th edition of the ICC ODI World Cup is underway. Where New Zealand got off to a good start by defeating England by a huge margin of 9 wickets in the opening match.
‘Unpredictable’ Pakistan is entering the field in the second match of the season on Friday.
Pakistan is called an ‘unpredictable’ team. Because it is Pakistan’s natural instinct to win difficult matches easily and lose easy matches difficultly.
Pakistan will face the Netherlands in Hyderabad, India at 2.30 pm on Friday. The match is relatively easy for Pakistan but it is not possible to predict that in advance.
Pakistan has turned around after being eliminated from the group stage in the 2019 World Cup. Especially the team’s top batting order has undergone radical changes. Along with Fakhr Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam also became a symbol of trust. In addition, Iftikhar Ahmed-Saud Shakilera in the middle order are able to create a difference in the match. And Shaheen Shah Afridi and many other bowlers can be seen in bowling. As a result, the team can be regarded as the favorite to a large extent.
The Netherlands is not to be taken lightly either. The Dutch beat the likes of West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland to reach the World Cup. As a result, they also have the ability to do well against Pakistan.
Before taking the field against Pakistan, Netherlands all-rounder Bas de Leedy said, ‘We have prepared well for today’s match. We want to play not only this match but also the semi-final. But for that we need to win 4-5 matches. Have to play great cricket. Till then I want to play good cricket.’
Pakistan has won the World Cup six times so far. The two teams met for the first time in the World Cup in 1996. Pakistan won the match by 8 wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore thanks to Saeed Anwar’s unbeaten 83 and Waqar Younis’ devastating bowling (4/26).
The two countries met for the second time in 2003 at Boland Park in South Africa. Pakistan also won the service by 97 runs.
(06 October/NBW/FA)