Pakistan will begin its campaign against the Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Friday. The Men in Green will enter the World Cup as red-hot favorites and they will be determined to kick off their tournament on a high.

Pakistan is one of the most unpredictable sides in the cricket world and it is often a hard job for the boffins to predict which side will turn out on the ground. However, the Babar Azam-led recently lost in the Super Fours stage matches against India and Sri Lanka and they will need to turn the tables.

Furthermore, Pakistan lost both of their warm-up matches against New Zealand and Australia. Pakistan has also lost the services of Naseem Shah, who has been ruled out with an injury, which is a big blow. However, despite Shah’s injury, Pakistan had a potent bowling attack with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Shadab Khan.

On the other hand, the Netherlands will cherish the opportunity of playing in the World Cup. The Dutch worked hard in the qualifiers and it will be a great opportunity for them to lock horns against the best in the business.

The likes of Scott Edwards, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, and Logan van Beek will hold the key for the Netherlands and they will need to come up with a collective show.

Match Prediction: Pakistan will enter this contest as red-hot favorites against the Netherlands.

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.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.