Former England skipper predicts Pakistan losing to Netherlands in ODI World Cup 2023

1992 ODI World Cup winners, Pakistan will play their opening game of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 against the Netherlands. Last year, both teams played against each other in a three-match ODI series in the Dutch nation. Even though the Green Brigade won 3-0, the two games in this series were a close encounter. Notably, in the T20 World Cup last year, the fate of Pakistan’s semifinal was in the Dutch hands.

The Orange Brigade needed to beat South Africa to help Pakistan have a chance. The European side did the same and handed the Asian side a chance. However, this win wasn’t entirely selfless. With this win, the Netherlands also ensured direct qualification for the T20 World Cup next year. Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023, the former champions struggled in the Asia Cup 2023.

They have lost the services of Naseem Shah to a shoulder injury. Fakhar Zaman has been out of touch in the last few games. Meanwhile, ahead of the Pakistan-Netherlands game, former England skipper Naseer Hossain has predicted that the Asian side could face an upset

“I think they [Pakistan] are a very good tournament side. They have got the Netherlands up from the first game, they could lose that. That is Pakistan for you. But then they’ll go on a run. You look at the last World T20. They were out of it and then suddenly they are in the final. They are mercurial because that is the brand and style of cricket they play. They are incredibly watchable side,” Nasser said.

Apart from this, Hossain said that if Pakistan can score above par totals, they will be in the game

“If they get an above par score against you, any team in the World Cup, you are in trouble,” he concluded.