World Cup 2023: With Champions Trophy qualification in sight, Dutch goal watchful strategy in opposition to Afghanistan

The 2023 ODI World Cup has been a mighty vital one for the Netherlands, with wins in opposition to England and Bangladesh proving – to the world and itself – that it belongs on the most important stage.

Now, the Dutch will sq. up in opposition to Afghanistan in Lucknow on Friday, with a win wanted to maintain its hopes for a semifinal spot alive.

For the Netherlands, the plan is easy, as defined by all-rounder Colin Ackermann on the eve of the match.

“We have got some momentum from our previous game against Bangladesh. I think we’re pretty lucky that we’ve played here before at this venue. So, we’re sort of familiar with the conditions from our game [against] Sri Lanka. So, I hope that will give us a few positives leading into tomorrow.”

Despite it placing up a powerful present within the match to date, the Dutch batters have did not impress. Only skipper Scott Edwards has scored greater than 200 runs on this World Cup, whereas the remainder of the top-order has did not impress.

“We haven’t formed the foundation that we would have liked as a batting unit so far. We have to look individually at how we’re getting out. We haven’t played the perfect game yet with the bat. It just takes two guys to form a good partnership and we’ll set up a very good score,” mentioned Ackermann.

On Friday, the out-of-sorts Netherlands batting unit must counter a formidable Afghan spin bowling lineup, led by leg spinner Rashid Khan.

Ackermann, although, is unfazed, providing an perception into how his aspect will look to counter the Afghanistan spin menace.

“They have three very good spinners who have been successful in T20 cricket. The 50-over format is different. You don’t have to go after the spinners from ball one. It allows us to have a look at them to see how the conditions are playing out there. I think the teams that have done well against them have kind of taken the game deep and not given them any wickets in the middle overs,” added Ackermann.

Ackermann additionally emphasised that his aspect’s major goal on this World Cup is to succeed in the semifinal, regardless of the potential for making it to the 2025 Champions Trophy by ending within the high seven.

“We know that if we win our next three games, we’ll make the semifinal. That is our focus at this stage. We’re not interested in what’s happening in two years.”