The top position in the ICC Intercontinental Cup will be up for grabs when the Netherlands and Afghanistan meet at Voorburg on Friday.

Defending champions Ireland lead the table with 60 points, ahead of The Netherlands on 46 and Afghanistan on 41.

Hence, if either side takes the maximum 20 points from this fixture, they will move to the top of the table until Ireland tries to reclaim top position when they meet Hong Kong in Belfast at the end of August.

Afghanistan, who defeated Scotland 1-0 in a two-ODI series and drew 2-2 with Ireland in a five-ODI series in recent weeks, are happy with the acclimatisation process in Europe ahead of the four-day engagement.

“It was a good experience for us to play against Scotland and Ireland as it has helped us get familiar with the conditions. It is always a challenge to play in different conditions and formats but since last year we have played enough matches here as well as undergone camps in England, Ireland and Scotland,” captain Asghar Stanikzai said.

Asghar said his team was aiming for a comprehensive victory this time after two close wins against the Netherlands. Afghanistan won by one wicket in Amstelveen in August 2009 and by three wickets in Sharjah in April 2012.

“Our players have got more experience now. I hope the team will play better than last time as it is important for us to win this match if we want to get the top position in the Intercontinental Cup,” Asghar said about his team, which boasts players like experienced spinner Mohammad Nabi and opener Mohammad Shahzad, who has already scored 241 runs in this edition of the tournament.

Netehrlands captain Peter Borren is hoping a big individual effort will lift the team.

“History tells you that we have had close encounters against one another, and that one special performance by someone will help swing the favour and momentum to hopefully our side.

“They have a good team on paper and have ambitions to become a Test playing nation, so it's important that we are up for the fight from ball one. We have come close to beat them a few times in the ICC Intercontinental Cup and so hopefully this time round we will be sitting on the other side of the fence,” Netherlands coach Anton Roux said.

The squads:

Netherlands: Peter Borren (captain), Wesley Barresi, Mudassar Bukhari, Ben Cooper, Tim Gruijters, Vivian Kingma, Ahsan Malik, Stephan Myburgh, Michael Rippon, Pieter Seelaar, Shane Snater, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren.

Afghanistan: Asghar Stanikzai (captain), Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shinwari, Mirwais Ashraf, Yamin Ahmadzai, Javed Ahmadi, Hasmatullah Shaidi, Nasir Jamal, Zahir Khan, Sayed Ahmed Shirzad, Dawlat Zadran, Ihsanullah Janat,

Match officials: Anil Chaudhary, Pim van Liemt (both on-field), Ashraf Din (third umpire), David Jukes (match referee)