Netherland won the toss and chose to bat first against Ireland on Monday, in the third match of the T20 World Cup Qualifiers. The match is going to take place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The Pieter Seelaar-led Netherlands were defeated by Scotland in the first practice match by a margin of 31 runs. However, the Dutch side made a comeback by beating Oman in their second practice match on October 14.
Netherlands have been dominating Ireland in the T20s. In the 2014 World T20, they have won seven out of ten meetings with the Netherlands, with one match getting abandoned.
This Netherlands squad is labeled as one of the best squads the country has ever produced, including experienced players such as Ryan ten Doeschatee and Roelof van der Merwee alongside younger, in-form players, such as Paul van Meekeren, a member of the title-winning St Kitts & Nevis Patriotss at the CPL.
The Netherlands coach, Ryan Campbell, assured that the two sides are on the same level but in order to win, they have to perform well on the pitch.
“We don’t disrespect Ireland, we don’t disrespect anyone. We think both teams are full of very good competitors and very good cricketers. But you have to perform on the day,” he said.