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
39.1
Hasan Ali to Logan van Beek. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on for 1 run, fielded by Ahmed.
Netherlands 191-9 (39) Van Beek 16, Van Meekeren 4, Rauf 2-40 (8) target 287
Some words again from Van Meekeren towards the Pakistan quicks as they serve up short ball after short ball. I’d personally rather not anger Haris Rauf when he’s bowling at me but each to their own.
But it works for him! He crunches a cut through the point region for his first boundary of the day as the number eleven. Five runs from the over.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
38.6
FOUR! Haris Rauf to Paul van Meekeren. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed past deep backward point for 4 runs.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
38.5
Haris Rauf to Paul van Meekeren. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, missed for no runs, fielded by Rizwan.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
38.3
Haris Rauf to Logan van Beek. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Zaman.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
38.2
Haris Rauf to Logan van Beek. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, mis-timed to backward point for no runs, fielded by ul-Haq.
Netherlands 184-9 (38) Van Beek 16, Van Meekeren 0, Ali 2-22 (6) target 287
Van Meekeren is the new man at the crease and the Netherlands are now in need of a miracle. A couple of runs coming off the over but the required rate now sits at just under 8.5 runs per over.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
37.6
Hasan Ali to Paul van Meekeren. Off cutter length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, back to bowler for no runs.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
37.5
Hasan Ali to Logan van Beek. Reverse Swing-In length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Zaman.
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