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
0.6
Shaheen Afridi to Vikram Singh. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed to deep extra cover for 3 runs, run save by Khan, fielded by Azam.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
0.5
Shaheen Afridi to Vikram Singh. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to silly mid on for no runs, fielded by Zaman.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
0.5
Wide Shaheen Afridi to Vikram Singh. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot glancing, Play and Miss (Leg Side) for 1 run, fielded by Rizwan.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
0.4
Shaheen Afridi to Vikram Singh. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, missed for no runs, fielded by Rizwan.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
0.3
Shaheen Afridi to Vikram Singh. Out-swinging back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, missed for no runs, fielded by Rizwan.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
0.2
Shaheen Afridi to Vikram Singh. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to mid off for no runs, fielded by Khan.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
0.1
NEW BALL. Shaheen Afridi to Vikram Singh. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Rizwan.
INNINGS BREAK: Pakistan 286 all out
That was an entertaining first innings with the momentum swinging in both directions throughout. The Netherlands got off to a fast start with those three early wickets but were pegged back after that partnership from Rizwan and Shakeel.
However, once they fell Pakistan were unable to form another big partnership and regular wickets from the bowling side cleaned them up with one over remaining.
Still, it’s a big task for Netherlands against a stellar Pakistan bowling line-up. No team has ever chased more than 280 to beat Pakistan in a World Cup match - can Netherlands become the first?
Join us in a bit for the second innings to find out...
WICKET! Rauf st Edwards b Ackermann 16 (PAK 286 all out)
A superb stumping from Edwards to get the final wicket. It’s floated wide from Ackermann and Rauf misses it as he charges down the wicket.
The keeper takes it well in his body before whipping off the bails with Rauf well out of his ground.
Pakistan, then, all out for 286 at the end of the 49th over.
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