UAE vs Netherlands Prediction: UAE has grown but Netherlands experience likely to win

T20 World Cup brings us to the world’s best short-format cricketers and with the growth of T20 leagues, the intensity level for this year’s world cup is going to be incredible. And what better way to watch cricket than seeing the lovely and long grounds of Australia with pacy decks? Yes, there is going to be a lot of high-quality action day in and day out. In this game, UAE will take on the Netherlands in an Association battle.

UAE last played West Indies during a Warm-up Game and lost by just 17 runs. In that game, regular run accumulator Mohammad Waseem accumulated 62 runs. The duo of Waseem and Chirag Suri will have an uphill task on the pacy Australian tracks and they will at least need to fend off the early attack for the early parts of the innings. Suri’s form has been a bit off and he has been scoring in single digits in four of the last five innings.

The form of Wicketkeeper Vritiya Anand who was on fire early in the year is also a concern as he has struggled to find his timing. Chundangopiyal Rizwan, the captain has had some strong innings but he will be tested in the World Cup big time. Basil Ahmad can tonk the ball but let us see how he responds. In terms of bowling, Junai Siddique is a strike bowler while Zahoor Khan has given strong support to him. Karthik Meiyappan and Ahmed Raza form the spin-bowling duo and will have a tall task on their hands.

The Netherlands has a ton of power hitters and opener Max O’Dowd can get the gears going early. However, the form of his opening partner Stephan Myburgh has been off. Bas de Leede provides great support at three while Tom Cooper, the veteran batter has been in scintillating form recently. Scott Edwards who can hit the ball out of the park is the “X-Factor” for them but at the top, Max and Stephan will need to lay a big platform because, in Australia, you can lose a bunch of wickets quickly.

The pace attack will depend upon Fred Klassen who can launch balls at a high pace. Roelof Van der Merwe's return marks a spin attack that has experience with veteran Tim Copper, but is there a place for Shariz Ahmad, who has shown a lot of promise? Bas de Leede has been in a great touch too Timm van der Gugten is coming into the tournament after a great run in County Championship. The Netherlands has a lot of experience from top to bottom.

Batters: Mohammad Waseem, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede.

Bowlers: Fred Klassen, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Bas de Leede.

While UAE has grown by leaps and bounds, largely on the back of an improved bowling attack and much more lethal batting attack, The difference between the squads is clearly experience and the Dutchmen have much more of that which will give them an edge. They also have a batting attack well suited to the needs of the pacy deck. Because of these reasons, I’d back the Netherlands to win here.