Netherlands will take on Bangladesh in the 28th game of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Saturday. This will be the first game of showpiece at the venue and it will be interesting to note how the pitch would play. Generally, Eden Gardens is known to assist the fast bowlers and both teams might stack up their pace battery.
Despite having all the experience, the Tigers have disappointed with their performances in the ongoing event, managing a solitary win in five games. The Shakib-Al-Hasan-led team won their maiden game against Afghanistan but they have looked off-color since then.
Bangladesh conceded a huge total of 382 against South Africa in their previous match after a thunderous knock of 174 runs from Quinton de Kock and thus they need to pull up their socks with the ball. Mahmudullah scored a fine knock of run-a-ball 111 and Bangladesh could give him a batting promotion as he has got all the experience.
On the other hand, the Netherlands conceded a mammoth total of 399 runs against Australia and were skittled out for a meager total of 90 runs, to suffer a huge loss of 309 runs, which is the biggest loss in the World Cup history. Such a massive loss must have dent their confidence but they will aim to bounce back in the quadrennial event.
The Dutch will look to pick themselves up and come up with a better show against Bangladesh.
Match Prediction: Bangladesh will begin as favorites against the Netherlands.
Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Netherlands squad: Scott Edwards (c), Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh, Teja Nidamanuru, Paul van Meekeren, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Ryan Klein, Wesley Barresi, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad, Sybrand Engelbrecht.
