*NETHERLANDS VS OMAN SUPER SIXES MATCH 5 PREVIEW- ICC WORLDCUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
Zimbabwe and Srilanka defeated both these outfits the last time they contested in the Super Sixes, supposed to be the next stage of the tournament. Coming off losses isn’t easy specially when you’re participating in a tight and competitive scenario like this. But both these teams have what it takes to bounce back and register some points.
Oman were so close to upsetting Zimbabwe on the 29th, they fell only 14 short of what could have been a win to remember. What worked for them was how they kept coming at the African side led by Ervine despite losing 9 by the very end. Mohammad Nadeem who remained unbeaten on 30 off just 18 was instrumental in keeping the hopes of his Omani brothers and sisters alive. To add to that, even the likes of Ayaan Khan, Kashyap and Aqib Ilyas were key players in Oman notching up a big total of 318 and Netherlands would be keen on sending them back early tomorrow.
Netherlands on the other hand would be gutted after than loss to Srilanka. They were all over them throughout the game and at the end, skipper Edwards was left stranded on 67(68). Though they’d feel disappointed after the loss, it should come as a happy refreshing outcome how strong they were that they nearly came on top against the 1996 CWC champions. Bundling Srilanka out for a mere 213 with all bowlers chipping in with valuable contributions was a big boost in what was a sensational bowling effort. Oman would be vary of this development.
*OMAN PROBABLE XI:*
Jatinder Singh, Kashyap Prajapati, Shoaib Khan, Ayaan Khan, Zeeshan Maqsood(C), Aqib Ilyas, Mohammad Nadeem, Naseem Khushi(wk), Bilal Khan, Fayyaz Butt, Kaleemullah
Prajapati and Aqib Ilyas, averaging in the high 30s with some outrageous knocks up their sleeves would be keen on making their presence count even tomorrow. The two looked good while batting even the last time they stepped on a cricket field and building on from that experience could be key.
Extremely pumped up to see what Fayyaz Butt, the right arm fast medium bowler, has to offer for his team. The 29 year old has picked up 10 wickets this tournament already with a 4-fer next to his name vs ZIM when he last played. His economy rate however has been on the higher side, an aspect where he’d like to do better against Netherlands who could capitalise on this.
*NED PROBABLE XI:*
MP O'Dowd, W Barresi, BFW de Leede, Vikramjit Singh, Saqib Zulfiqar, Clayton Floyd, S Edwards(C), AT Nidamanuru, Logan van Beek, Shariz Ahmad, Aryan Dutt
Logan Van Beek, an absolute gem of a player and someone who has earned a huge rep after his stint with the Netherlands this tournament, would like to continue the momentum that he has found. To average 24 with an economy rate of under 5 with 9 wickets under his belt, he surely has had a tournament to remember. His three-fer bowling first vs SL was pure gold and if Oman have to worry about someone from the opposition, then it’s Logan Van Beek.
Pretty certain about one thing after that close loss to Srilanka is that Edwards would have not slept easy. He was just a mile away from finishing things off but was left hanging. I expect him to deliver the goods again, this time in a winning cause to get Netherlands’s first two points on board of this stage of the tournament.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR OMAN:*
Highest run getter- Kashyap Prajapati
Highest wicket taker- Fayyaz Butt
*FOR NED:*
Highest run getter- Scott Edwards/Wesley Barresi
Highest wicket taker- Bas De Leede/Logan Van Beek
*FOR THIS GAME:*
NED to win