Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey
T20 WC 2021 Match 3: IRE vs NED Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IRE vs NED Dream11 Prediction Today | Ireland vs Netherlands Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report
Who said the T20 World Cup will only become interesting at the Super 12s stage? After a fascinating day one where Scotland produced a magnificent comeback to beat Bangladesh, Group A gets underway in Abu Dhabi.
And this is the group that looks most fascinating on paper. Sri Lanka are not the force they once were, and Namibia have made wonderful strides in the past five years. With them are Ireland and Netherlands, who both have strong cases for progressing through to the Super 12s stage.
Ireland, despite their up-and-down form in T20Is in recent years, can never be counted out. They were disappointing in their 2-1 series defeat against UAE in the leadup to the tournament, but as history has showed, a global tournament can bring the best out of the Irish. With the confidence of two comfortable warm up victories against Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh, Ireland will believe that they can make the perfect start to a very competitive group.
And it looks to be a challenging start indeed. The Netherlands are many’s pick to qualify to the main round courtesy of their experience and capable bowling attack. Ryan ten Doeschate will call time on a decorated career after this tournament, which will no doubt increase his and his team’s motivation to send him out on a high.
This should be a cracker. These two sides have history in the T20 World Cup, where Netherlands pulled off a miraculous chase in 2014 to qualify for the main round. And, the Dutch have enjoyed other great moments, particularly beating England in 2009 and 2014. So, what will be the great moment this time, and for whom?
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Ireland:
- Paul Stirling is in wonderful form and you feel he is key to Ireland’s hopes. He has struck 737 runs this year in 27 matches at an average of 29.48 and strike rate of 141.46.
- Stirling will be out to improve on his record against The Netherlands. The right-hander is yet to hit a half-century in nine matches, averaging just 18.89 overall (170 runs). He does have a fine record at this ground, with 565 runs in 17 matches at an average of 33.24 and strike rate of 137.80.
- It has been a tough year for Kevin O’Brien in T20 cricket (18 inns, 332 runs, avg. 18.44, SR 102.15). However, his scores of 46, 12 and 54 against UAE can do his confidence the world of good.
- O’Brien averages 22 in seven matches against the Dutch and 21.88 in 17 matches on this ground. Ireland will be hoping he can crack the 20 mark and carry on.
- Skipper Andy Balbirnie has a solid record against The Netherlands. In five matches, he has struck 199 runs at an average of 39.80 and strike rate of 143.17.
- George Dockrell is more of a batting all-rounder these days, but he could have an impact with the ball if called on. He has 16 wickets in 11 matches vs the Dutch at an average of 16.50.
- Simi Singh is one to watch, without a doubt. He has struck 240 runs in 16 matches this year (avg. 24), along with 17 wickets. He has a half-century in three T20Is against the Dutch as well as four wickets.
- Craig Young comes into this match in fine form, with figures of 3/15 (vs PNG) and 2/21 (vs Bangladesh) in the warm up matches.
Netherlands:
- Netherlands have plenty of experience, but the man who can turn the game in their favour is Max O’Dowd. The opener has scored 235 runs in seven T20Is vs Ireland at an average of 33.57 and strike rate of 141.57.
- O’Dowd smashed a 73-ball 133 earlier this year, albeit against the inexperienced Malaysia outfit.
- Stephan Myburgh played one of the memorable knocks in T20 World Cup history in 2014. He slammed a 23-ball 63 to help Netherlands chase Ireland’s 190 within the 14.2 overs they had to in order to qualify.
- Ben Cooper has a magnificent record against Ireland. In eight innings, Cooper has struck 287 runs at an average of 57.40 and strike rate of 128.13. He scored 40 (vs Oman) and 19 (vs Scotland) in the warm ups.
- Can Ryan ten Doeschate influence this game as many know he can? He has played just the three matches vs Ireland to date (75 runs, avg. 37.50, one wicket). However, he did struggle in the T20 Cup in England (11 inns, 73 runs, avg. 10.43, SR 97.33), so it will be interesting to see how he responds.
- Roelof van der Merwe will also be key with both bat and ball. His 86 runs vs Ireland come at an average of 28.67 and strike rate of 132.31. He also has seven wickets in six matches at an average of 19.57.
- Paul van Meekeren is coming off a successful CPL campaign, where he won the title with St Kitts. He has a superb record against Ireland, with 14 wickets in seven matches at an average of just 12.71.
- Skipper Pieter Seelaar has the potential to swing the game in his team’s favour. He has 11 wickets in 10 matches vs Ireland (avg. 21.73).
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 13, Ireland 4, Netherlands 7, N/R 2.
- Ireland and Netherlands met four times in 2019, with both teams winning two matches apiece. Ireland won both games in Oman, while Netherlands won in the UAE (Dubai).
- Harry Tector has struck 50, 55, 13*, 38 and 23 in his last five white-ball matches.
- Mark Adair has taken seven wickets in his last four white-ball matches.
- Tim van der Gugten took 2/11 (vs Scotland) and 1/29 (vs Oman) in the warm ups. The seamer can be a point of difference for the Dutch.
- Colin Ackermann will be key as one of the limited spin options in the Netherlands’ squad. He is coming off a solid performance vs Oman, scoring 37* (21) and taking 1/11.
Possible Playing 11
Ireland: 1. Paul Stirling, 2. Kevin O’Brien, 3. Andy Balbirnie (c), 4. Harry Tector, 5. George Dockrell, 6. Lorcan Tucker/Niel Rock (wk), 7. Simi Singh, 8. Mark Adair, 9. Andy McBrine, 10. Craig Young, 11. Josh Little/Ben White
Brandon Glover was the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2019 Qualifier, which further highlights the Netherlands’ pace bowling depth.
Netherlands: 1. Max O’Dowd, 2. Stephan Myburgh, 3. Ben Cooper, 4. Colin Ackermann, 4. Ryan ten Doeschate, 5. Roelof van der Merwe, 6. Bas de Leede, 7. Scott Edwards (wk), 8. Pieter Seelaar (c), 9. Tim van der Gugten/Brandon Glover, 10. Paul van Meekeren, 11. Vivan Kingma/Philippe Boissevain
Abu Dhabi Pitch Report and Weather
The average first innings score at Abu Dhabi in the recent IPL was 159, with the chasing team winning five of the eight matches. However, the last game saw Mumbai Indians smash 235 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, who themselves scored a strong 193 in reply.
A warm and clear day is forecast, which comes as no surprise.
Dream11 Prediction
Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.
Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
- Wicket-keepers: Scott Edwards
- Batsmen: Ben Cooper, Paul Stirling
- All-rounders: Roelof van der Merwe, Simi Singh, Colin Ackermann
- Bowlers: Craig Young, Paul van Meekeren
Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?
Match Prediction
A difficult match to predict. Ireland have played more cricket of late, while Netherlands have to gel quickly. However, I will predict Netherlands, with their experience and bowling depth, to win.
T20 WC 2021 Match 3: IRE vs NED Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IRE vs NED Dream11 Prediction Today | Ireland vs Netherlands Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report