Pakistan v Netherlands World Cup Tips: Dutch worth risking for early shock

Ed Hawkins
05 October 2023
2:00 min read

Babar is too big at [11/4] for top bat

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Ed Hawkins says the Dutch are value to cause a major shock on Friday in Hyderanbad at big odds and he finds bets at 11/43.75 and 9/25.50 as well...

Dutch could delight at 16.5
Babar a bet at 11/43.75
Edwards too big at 9/25.50

Pakistan v Netherlands
Friday 5 October, 09:00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Pakistan v Netherlands World Cup team news

Pakistan are up against it in the land of their enemies but they couldn't have wished for an easier start. They need it after losing two warm-ups and fizzling out in the Asia Cup.

With no Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim is expected to get the chance to nail his place in the side. Runs for Iftikhar and Mohammad Nawaz against Australia could mean they play, too.

Possible XI: Fakhar, Imam, Babar, Rizwan, Salman, Iftikhar, Shadab, Nawaz, Wasim, Afridi, Rauf

The Dutch are hamstrung by a lack of opportunities against the big boys but they have a sprinkling of talent which make them capable of acquitting themselves well.

Bas de Leede, an all-rounder of class and substance, is their big hope and if the likes of Max O'Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe and Logan van Beek go with him and hold their own, they'll do some damage.

Possible XI: O'Dowd, Singh, Barresi, de Leede, Nidamanuru, Ackermann, Edwards, Zulfiqar, van Beek, van der Merwe, Klein

Pakistan v Netherlands World Cup pitch report

The Hyderabad surface in IPL always had the potential to be tricky for batters so that is in our minds. In ODI there have been only seven matches, starting in 2005. In 2019 Australia could manage only 236 against India and were beaten.

This year India defended 349 by 12 runs against New Zealand. That could be the beginning of a runs trend with 345 and 351 scored by Pakistan versus New Zealand and Australia versus Pakistan in warm-ups.

Still, there could be value in expecting Pakistan to struggle to hit the heights against a canny outfit. There should be cheap lays for 320 or more.

Pakistan v Netherlands World Cup match odds

Pakistan are no better than 1.061/18 with the Dutch trading at 16.50. There are shocks in World Cups and although we have to be selective in when we favour the outsider, we're not afraid to go in with an early shout.

Netherlands' great strength is a bowling line-up which can be miserly. They could put Pakistan's soft middle-order under pressure if they can just get into it quickly enough.

We'll keep the toss on side if it's a road and have the Dutch batting first as a caveat.

Back Netherlands batting first @ 16.5

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Pakistan v Netherlands World Cup player bets

Babar Azam wins 33% of the time in the last two years for top Pakistan bat so we have to take the boosted 11/43.75 with Sportsbook at implied probability of 26.7%. For the Dutch, Scott Edwards is their top-rated batter winning at 32% so the 9/25.50 that he tops is a no-brainer.

Back Babar Azam top Pakistan bat @ 11/43.75

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