PAK vs NED: Pakistan playing XI vs Netherlands, Match 2, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 - Predicted

Pakistan will face Netherlands on Friday in their opening encounter for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 began on October 5th, and it will be wholesome entertainment in India for the next one and a half months. The best teams with the best players will showcase their abilities, and only the best one will be crowned world champions. England and New Zealand started the proceedings, and the second game will have a face-off between Pakistan and Netherlands.

The second game of the tournament will be played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad between Pakistan and Netherlands. Pakistan played both of their warm-up games, which will give them an edge. And here we will talk about the predicted playing XI for Pakistan on Friday.

PAK vs NED: Pakistan's Predicted playing XI vs Netherlands

1. Fakhar Zaman:

Fakhar Zaman is the x-factor in the batting-order for Pakistan. He is the dasher in the line-up that has so many anchors. That is why he is rated highly. Though his current form hasn't done justice for him, he can change everything with one good knock, and he is one knock away from getting to his best.

2. Imam-ul-Haq:

Imam-ul-Haq is another player who is pretty similar to what Babar Azam brings to the table. The left-hander has the flexibility to play big innings, and once he gets set, he scores big runs. Imam has had some on and offs in recent games, but he is Pakistan's first-choice opener and a reliable batter at the top.

3. Babar Azam (c):

Babar Azam is the best batter on either team on Friday. He is coming off two excellent half-centuries in both warm-up games and is expected to play a big innings, which has become a regular sight now. Babar is the No. 1 ranked ODI batter and will be the biggest threat for Netherlands on Friday.

4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk):

Mohammad Rizwan only batted in the first warm-up game against New Zealand and smashed a brilliant hundred. He made 103 off 94 and went off the field. He was also in good form in Asia Cup 2023 and is a great No. 4 batter for his team. Rizwan will be looking to carry on his great form to take his team to victory in the first match.

5. Saud Shakeel:

There will be competition between Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman, but the way Shakeel played in the first warm-up game against New Zealand, he is likely to get the edge. The left-hander scored a magnificent 53-balls 75 and played some eye-catching shots. He can be the answer to Pakistan's middle-order. Shakeel is also a useful spinner.

6. Iftikhar Ahmed:

Iftikhar Ahmed is as important to Pakistan's line-up as Babar. The veteran middle-order batter has been very consistent in the last few months and has scored runs when the top-order batter has failed. Iftikhar is also a good spinner and takes wickets in the middle-overs. All in all, he is the game changer for Pakistan and will be an important player on Friday.

7. Shadab Khan:

Shadab Khan will be another important member that has been under the pump because of his recent form. But he is a very important member of the team, with both the bat and the ball. Shadab provides a great balance to the team, and his batting down the order makes Pakistan a pretty good batting team. But his bowling will be required on Friday in the middle-overs.

8. Mohammad Nawaz:

Mohammad Nawaz is another spin all-rounder in the team who has done well whenever he gets the chance. Nawaz is a pretty capable batter and can bat at any position, which gives the team variety, while his bowling has been consistent and he restricts the batters from scoring runs, which is why he can be a hurdle to cross for Netherlands.

9. Hasan Ali:

Veteran pacer Hasan Ali got his chance after Naseem Shah was ruled out due to injury, and now he is one of Pakistan's main pacers. Hasan showed some good form in the warm-up games and is expected to do well with the new ball.

10. Shaheen Afridi:

Shaheen Afridi's opening spell will decide which way the game will go. If he can pick a couple of wickets early on, Pakistan will have an upper-hand, but if not, Netherlands can really give it a crack. That is why Shaheen is so important for his team. But the way Netherlands struggled against Mitchell Starc in the warm-up game, Shaheen is also a similar threat for them.

11. Haris Rauf:

Haris Rauf will be the fastest bowler on either team on Friday. His speed is both his strength and his weakness at times. He can go for plenty, but he takes wickets regularly, which makes him a player to watch out for. Rauf can put pressure on the middle-overs, and his speed will be a challenge to handle for Dutch team.