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 106-3 (21) Rizwan 43 Shakeel 28, Singh 0-5 (1)
Singh replaces De Leede with his medium pace and starts well with a probing line and length. But Pakistan are in the mood now and Rizwan cashes in at the slightest offering of length as the wicketkeeper-batsman times it excellently past mid-off to the boundary for four.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
20.6
Vikram Singh to Mohammad Rizwan. Half volley, middle stump on the front foot flick, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by de Leede.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
20.5
Vikram Singh to Mohammad Rizwan. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot working, to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by O'Dowd.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
20.3
Vikram Singh to Mohammad Rizwan. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by O'Dowd.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
20.2
Vikram Singh to Mohammad Rizwan. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, back to bowler for no runs.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
20.1
Vikram Singh to Mohammad Rizwan. Length ball, off stump on the front foot flick, to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by O'Dowd.
Pakistan 101-3 (20) Rizwan 38 Shakeel 28, Van der Merwe 0-12 (3)
A better over from Van der Merwe but Pakistan still take a trio of singles to bring up their hundred in the 20th over. A healthy strike rate and they’ve got two set batsmen who will be looking to push on.
Netherlands need to break this partnership sooner rather than later.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
19.6
Roelof van der Merwe to Mohammad Rizwan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by O'Dowd.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
19.4
Roelof van der Merwe to Mohammad Rizwan. Stock length ball, off stump on the front foot defending, back to bowler for no runs.
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