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.
Netherlands 104-2 (21) De Leede 34, Singh 43, Nawaz 0-21 (4) target 287
Two boundaries in as many balls as Nawaz pierces the gap between backward point and short third-man. Six of the over and this partnership is building nicely as Netherlands tick over the 100 mark.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
20.6
Mohammad Nawaz to Vikram Singh. Stock ball back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by ul-Haq.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
20.5
Mohammad Nawaz to Vikram Singh. Stock length ball, outside off stump down the track driving, to mid off for no runs, fielded by Ahmed.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
20.3
Mohammad Nawaz to Bas de Leede. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to mid off for 1 run, fielded by ul-Haq.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
20.2
Mohammad Nawaz to Bas de Leede. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to point for no runs, fielded by Azam.
Netherlands 98-2 (20) De Leede 29, Singh 43, Shadab 0-15 (2) target 287
Pakistan have wrestled back a bit of control after those two productive offers from the Netherlands. The batting side can’t afford to get bogged down on many occasions.
And right on cue! A huge six from Singh to relieve the pressure. Poor from Shadab who drops his length and is punished to the fullest extent. A great end to the over.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
20.1
FOUR! Mohammad Nawaz to Bas de Leede. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, well timed past deep backward point for 4 runs.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
19.6
SIX! Shadab Khan to Vikram Singh. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the back foot Slog, well timed in the air under control over deep square leg for 6 runs.
Pakistan vs Netherlands
19.6
Wide Shadab Khan to Vikram Singh. Googly length ball, down leg side on the back foot glancing, hit pad for 1 run, mis-fielded by Rizwan.
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