Follow UsAt the start of the World Cup, you would have predicted Bangladesh and Netherlands finishing the group stage as potentially among the bottom three sides. That's exactly how it is panning out right now. However, this clash gives them an opportunity to potentially rise from those spots and, in a way, exceed expectations.
But how do you recover from massive losses? While Bangladesh were handed a 149-run pounding by South Africa after conceding 382, the Dutch, on the other hand, would be shattered after managing just 90 in pursuit of 400 against Australia.
A new day presents new opportunities and challenges to overcome. While Bangladesh may have the experience on their side, do not discount the Netherlands, who have held their own the entire tournament, barring an off-day against the five-time champions. Just ask Temba Bavuma and South Africa.
While a spot in the semi-final may be a lost cause, a win at the World Cup is something either side would take for granted. That's what will be on the line at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Saturday (October 28).
Things to watch out for
Can Bas de Leede bounce back?
After conceding a record 115 runs in his 10 overs against Australia, all-rounder Bas de Leede would certainly be under the pump. However, one must not forget he has been the Netherlands' best bowler in recent times. He has managed 24 wickets in ODIs this year, with most of it coming in the middle overs and the death. In fact, only Shaheen Afridi (15) has picked up more wickets than de Leede (13) at the death in ODIs this year.
While bowling is a part of the skillset he brings to the table, he is a crucial batter in the line-up as well, occupying the crucial No. 4 spot. After a near run-a-ball 67 against Pakistan, he has managed just 18, 2, 6, and 4 in his next four innings. Safe to say he has to step up with the bat as well. He really struggles against left-arm pacers, having been dismissed by them thrice (Ave 7.7) already. Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman would be licking their fingers at the prospect of having a crack at him.
Openers need to step up
Both the Netherlands and Bangladesh have struggled to get their opening partnership going. The Dutch have the worst average (21.2) and strike rate (66.7) for the opening stand, with 28 being the highest. Max O'Dowd and Vikramjit Singh, along with Bangladesh's Tanzid Hasan, are among the openers with the worst average this World Cup.
Not to mention, the three players have already been dismissed four times in the first powerplay to make matters worse for themselves and the team. Moreover, the Netherlands have been the best bowling side in the first powerplay after South Africa, accounting for eight wickets at an economy rate of 5.4. Bangladesh batters will certainly have their task cut out, at least in the opening stages.
Ground Details
This will be the first match of the 2023 World Cup at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The first games at all the venues this edition have been excellent for the batters, with more runs than expected scored on them. Kolkata may not be any different.
The average first-innings score here in an ODI since 2017 has been 263, and in the same period, the pacers have picked up nearly 73% of the wickets. The spinners may have had a lesser share of the wickets, but they have managed to keep things tight with an economy rate of 4.9, compared to the quicks, who have conceded at 5.6 an over.
Tactical insights
Logan van Beek has been the Netherlands' go-to bowler across all three phases, accounting for 16 wickets in the first powerplay and 14 and 12 in the other two, respectively, in ODIs since 2021. However, he could be deadly against the left-handers, given that he strikes once every 21.9 runs and 24.9 deliveries apart in ODIs. Bangladesh have three lefties in their top five, and van Beek could be the one to do the damage against them.
Given his tendency to play the upper cut, Mushfiqur Rahim has often been caught at third-man or backward point when a ball is delivered at the back of a length or short. In fact, since 2021, Rahim has been dismissed seven times against such deliveries - four of them playing the upper cut, as highlighted below.
The same can be said about skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who has scored 56 runs in four World Cup innings so far. The right-arm pacers have exploited this weakness of his and have dismissed him thrice this World Cup already. Van Beek, de Leede, and Paul van Meekeren would have surely taken note of that.
Team news and combination
Bangladesh
Shakib had gone back to Dhaka to train with his mentor after the loss to South Africa, but he is available for this game. The only change Bangladesh could ponder is getting Taskin Ahmed, who is more of a hit-the-deck bowler, in place of Hasan Mahmud.
There could also be a case for Najmul Hossain Shanto to bat at four instead of three. He has slammed a fifty and a ton in three innings at No. 4 this year already. Shakib, who scored over 600 runs in the 2019 edition, could consider batting at three instead.
Probable XI: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud/Taskin Ahmed
Netherlands
With the opening a massive issue for the Dutch, they could consider bringing in Wesley Barresi into the fold. The last time he opened in ODIs was way back in 2011, which also included six innings at the World Cup. Even otherwise, they might find a way to get Barresi involved, with Teja Nidamanuru not among the runs. Barresi played at three at the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe earlier this year, and that could be the position he could occupy if the Dutch decide to bench Nidamanuru.
The option of including Saqib Zulfiqar, too, is a possibility, given that he can chip in with a few overs of leg-spin as well.
Probable XI: Vikramjit Singh, Max ODowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru/Wesley Barresi, Scott Edwards (c & wk), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren