Pakistan vs Netherlands LIVE: Result and reaction as Rauf takes three wickets and Babar Azam’s side win
Pakistan get their World Cup up and running with a convincing 81-run victory over the Netherlands
Pakistan secured a comprehensive 81-run victory against a battling Netherlands to kickstart their World Cup campaign. Babar Azam’s side were in trouble after falling to 38-3 in the early stages but half-centuries from Saud Shakeel and Muhammad Rizwan saw them recover to post 286 after 49 overs.
Netherlands started brightly in their chase as Bas de Leede and Vikram Singh both reached their half-centuries as part of a 70-run stand. But when Singh fell, the Dutch middle order failed to provide support for De Leede who eventually fell for 67, with Scott Edward’s side losing their last 8 wickets for 85 runs as they were bowled out for 205.
Relive all of the match action and catch up on all the reaction below. Get the latest match odds and tips here.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
16.4
SIX! Mohammad Nawaz to Bas de Leede. Stock length ball, outside off stump down the track flick, well timed in the air under control over deep mid wicket for 6 runs.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
16.3
Mohammad Nawaz to Bas de Leede. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by ul-Haq.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
16.2
Mohammad Nawaz to Bas de Leede. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to point for no runs, fielded by Azam.
Netherlands 70-2 (16) De Leede 12, Singh 32, Iftikhar 1-16 (3) target 287
Shot! De Leede shows some intent as he smashes Iftikhar down the ground for his first boundary. Better now, as a misfield allows Singh to scamper back for a two before he carves a single into the off side for another run off the final ball.
A much-needed over from the Netherlands. Ten from it.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
15.5
Iftikhar Ahmed to Vikram Singh. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot sweeping, well timed to deep mid wicket for 2 runs, mis-fielded by Khan.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
15.6
Iftikhar Ahmed to Vikram Singh. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to deep extra cover for 1 run, fielded by Nawaz.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
15.3
Iftikhar Ahmed to Vikram Singh. Off break length ball, middle stump on the back foot working, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Zaman.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
15.2
Iftikhar Ahmed to Bas de Leede. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, to long on for 1 run, fielded by Afridi.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
15.1
FOUR! Iftikhar Ahmed to Bas de Leede. Off break length ball, outside off stump down the track driving, well timed in the air under control past long off for 4 runs.
Netherlands 60-2 (15) De Leede 6, Singh 28, Nawaz 0-2 (1) target 287
A change in bowling as Pakistan opt for spin from both ends for a period.
Singh has stalled to just 27 from 42 at the start of this over and perhaps realises that as he comes down the wicket first ball, albeit unable to carve out any runs as Nawaz pulls back his length in anticipation.
A nice scoop gets him off strike the next ball but it’s only a single.
Just two from the over in the end. Pressure building.
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