Netherlands will face Pakistan in the 29th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 at the Perth Stadium on Sunday. In T20Is, both teams have only clashed once before – way back in 2009 – when Pakistan won by 82 runs at the Lord’s.
Following Thursday’s shocking defeat against Zimbabwe, Babar Azam & Co. will head into the ground knowing that their future in the tournament is now beyond their control. However, if they are to stand any chance, it remains essential for them to win all their remaining three fixtures.
On the other hand, if Netherlands can get a grip on their bowling, they may be the latest side to add a glorious chapter to the ongoing series of ‘Cupsets’ Down Under when the odds are heavily stacked against them. They registered a morale-boosting victory over the tournament favourites England in their last game.
Pitch and Weather report
The pitch at the Perth Stadium has provided plenty of pace and bounce to the quicks, and pacers should enjoy bowling here, provided they don’t deliver too full-length balls.
There are chances of rain in Perth during the morning, though the weather will likely be clear in the afternoon when the match begins.
Probable XI
Netherlands – Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Tom Cooper, Scott Edwards (c & wk), Tim Pringle, Logan van Beek, Shariz Ahmad, Fred Klaassen, Paul van Meekeren
Pakistan – Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Haider Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
Current form
- Pakistan: LLWWL (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
- Netherlands: LLLWW
“We are as hurt as any cricket fan would be,” Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf said in his pre-match conference.
“The tournament is not finished for us, and we can still make a comeback. We have three games left, and we are confident of doing well.
“We have analysed our mistakes and will do better. We are focused on our cricket and not listening too much to what is being said outside,” Rauf added.