The odds may be heavily stacked against an upset by the Dutch team, says cricket expert Ayaz Memon
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00:00 Hi, I'm Ayaz Mehmet with the World Cup update.
00:02 Afghanistan's stunning victory over England, defending champions England, has, in my opinion,
00:10 set the cat amongst the pigeons in this World Cup.
00:12 It's given the tournament the kiss of life.
00:14 We've had some really one-sided matches, poor spectators in at least a few of the matches,
00:19 and that zing which you expect in a major tournament like this was absent.
00:24 Now, it seems we've all come rushing in because of Afghanistan's magnificent show.
00:31 England perhaps a tad too loose, a little overconfident, but take nothing away from
00:36 the Afghans for putting up a really doughty performance, playing to their strengths, having
00:40 the defending champions in a bind right through batting and bowling.
00:44 Now, big question is, Netherlands versus South Africa today.
00:48 Can the Dutch do what the Afghans did?
00:50 Remember, South Africa, along with India and New Zealand, have been a high-flying team
00:56 so far.
00:57 They've won two matches, including a win over Australia, and they've now emerged as one
01:01 of the stronger teams likely to make it to the knockout stages, the last four.
01:07 Can the Dutch do something that the Afghans did?
01:12 As exciting as it seems, the odds are stacked heavily against them.
01:14 The South Africans have been absolutely marvellous.
01:17 Their top order has been in crackling form - Quinton Dickock, Aydan Martin, Captain Bavuma,
01:24 Hendrik Klaassen, David Miller, and so on.
01:27 It's a very powerful batting line-up and in great form.
01:30 And also the bowling has come along splendidly.
01:32 Kagi Zorabada had top form against Australia.
01:35 Nkidi has bowled well.
01:37 I think that the Keshav Maharaj, Tabrez Shamsi, spinners coming into their own means on these
01:43 pitches, the attack is also formidable.
01:46 So this is serious stuff for the Dutch to overcome.
01:52 And they don't have either that much experience nor that much depth of talent, let's face
01:57 it.
01:58 Bas de Ligt is their best player, he's a fine all-rounder, but it will virtually have to
02:03 be a one-man show by somebody like him if the Dutch have to upset South Africa.
02:10 I see that improbable, but not impossible.
02:15 As they say in sport, expect the unexpected.
02:18 So we'll have to wait and see how it goes.
02:20 [Music]
02:25 (upbeat music)