Netherlands will face Afghanistan in Match 34 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, November 03. Both teams are still in contention for a spot in the semi-finals and will aim to secure a win. Afghanistan has been performing well, with three wins in the tournament, defeating strong teams such as England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The Netherlands have also shown improvement, registering wins against South Africa and Bangladesh. Before the NED vs AFG match, let’s take a look at the pitch report for Ekana Stadium.
Ekana Cricket Pitch Report
Ekana Stadium is known for hosting low–scoring affairs. The pitches have consistently favored spinners and slower bowlers. Nevertheless, the recently changed surface have brought about a notable shift, allowing for more comfortable run-scoring conditions, whether it be in the second innings of two matches or the first innings in another. In terms of team performance, the current score stands at an even 2-2, with both chasing and batting first finding equal success here.
One intriguing aspect to consider is the potential for seam bowlers to find some assistance, particularly when the matches are played under the floodlights. This could, in turn, influence the decision of the toss-winning captain, leading them to opt for batting first to exploit these conditions. However, it’s essential to acknowledge the chances of dew, which may come into play during the latter part of the match, adding an additional layer of complexity to the decision-making process.
Match Details
- Netherlands vs Afghanistan, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Match 34
- Date & Time: Friday, November 03, 2PM IST
- Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
NED vs AFG: Probable Playing XIs
Netherlands: Vikramjit Singh, Max ODowd, Wesley Barresi, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (c & wk), Bas de Leede, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Shariz Ahmad, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq/Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Editors pick
