Netherlands make five changes for Afghanistan clash

Netherlands have made five changes to the squad that took on Canada in their previous Intercontinental Cup clash. Allrounder Mudassar Bukhari, wicketkeeper Atse Burrman, batsmen Alexei Kervezee and Bas Zuiderent and seamer Edgar Schiferli have been included for the game against Afghanistan in Amstelveen, beginning on August 24. Three other players will feature in the two-match ODI series, which begins on August 30, between the two teams. Wicketkeeper Jeroen Smits will lead Netherlands in the ODI series instead of Peter Borren; allrounder Ryan ten Doeschate, who also plays for Essex, and the South African-born Wesley Barresi have also been picked.

Netherlands were made to struggle in their drawn game against Canada in Rotterdam; they finished on 233 for 8 while chasing 368 for victory, thanks to a defiant 98 of 298 balls from Daan van Bunge. Their opponents, however, are on a high after an admirable display against Zimbabwe XI where, riding on opener Noor Ali's twin centuries, they held the upper hand for most of the drawn game. They'll also be a confident outfit in the ODIs after qualifying for the Super Eights in the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa, as a result of which they were granted ODI status by the ICC.

Netherlands Intercontinental Cup squad: Peter Borren (capt), Mudassar Bukhari, Daan van Bunge, Atse Buurman (wk), Tom de Grooth, Mark Jonkman, Alexei Kervezee, Edgar Schiferli, Pieter Seelaar, Nick Statham, Eric Szwarczynski, Bas Zuiderent.

Netherlands ODI squad: Jeroen Smits (capt) Wesley Barresi (wk), Peter Borren, Mudassar Bukhari, Daan van Bunge, Ryan ten Doeschate, Tom de Grooth, Edgar Schiferli, Pieter Seelaar, Nick Statham (Hermes DVS), Eric Szwarczynski, Bas Zuiderent.