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 286-9 (48.5) Rauf 16, Shaheen 12, Ackermann 1-39 (7.5)
Spin stays on as Ackermann persists with just two overs remaining. Some big heaves from Rauf and Shaheen but the Dutch spinner is holding his own so far - just two singles from the first three balls.
But the boundary comes as Rauf flicks one of his pads and finds the gap perfectly.
Six! A huge shot follows from Rauf and captain Edwards’ gamble with spin may not have worked.
But...now is there a stumping on Rauf? This could be massive as we head upstairs to the third umpire...
Pakistan vs Netherlands
48.5
SIX! Colin Ackermann to Haris Rauf. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, well timed in the air under control over deep mid wicket for 6 runs.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
48.4
FOUR! Colin Ackermann to Haris Rauf. Off break half volley, to leg on the front foot flick, well timed past deep backward square leg for 4 runs.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
48.3
Colin Ackermann to Shaheen Afridi. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by de Leede.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
48.2
Colin Ackermann to Haris Rauf. Off break length ball, outside off stump down the track Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Zulfiqar.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
48.1
Colin Ackermann to Haris Rauf. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, to short mid wicket for no runs.
Pakistan 274-9 (48) Rauf 5, Shaheen 12, De Leede 4-62 (9)
De Leede back into the attack as they hunt the final wicket to conclude a great bowling effort.
A wide and a single to start before a very fortuituous boundary comes Pakistan’s way as Rauf bottom edges one past Edwards to the boundary ropes.
Seven off the over as Rauf finds one of the last.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
47.5
Bas de Leede to Haris Rauf. Short, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, missed for no runs, fielded by Edwards.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
47.4
FOUR! Bas de Leede to Haris Rauf. Back of a length, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, inside edge past fine leg for 4 runs.
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