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

Virat Kohli joins team India ahead of their cricket World Cup match against Australia

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 LIVE: ODI World Cup updates

• Netherlands fall to 81-run defeat against Pakistan in opening both side’s opening World Cup fixture
• De Leede hits impressive half-centuries but Dutch run-chase collapses
• Pakistan bowled out for 286 off 49 overs; Rizwan and Shakeel hit vital half-centuries
• Cricket World Cup 2023: Full schedule, fixtures and match dates

Pakistan vs Netherlands

42.1

Aryan Dutt to Mohammad Nawaz. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot dropped, to point for no runs, fielded by van der Merwe.

6 October 2023 12:37

[6 October 2023 12:35 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan 244-6 (42) Nawaz 33 Shadab 26, De Leede 2-45 (6)

De Leede is back into the attack but it’s a loose one to start and Nawaz slashes it through backward point for four.

But there’s a mix-up and nearly out! Nawaz hit it straight at the fielder and took off but he was a long way out if Singh had hit the stumps with his through.

And Nawaz cashes in now as he plunders another boundary to end the over. 11 coming off it for Pakistan as they eye up that 300 total.

Pakistan vs Netherlands

41.6

Bas de Leede to Mohammad Nawaz. Back of a length, down leg side on the back foot dropped, to short extra cover for 1 run, fielded by van der Merwe.

6 October 2023 12:35

Pakistan vs Netherlands

41.5

FOUR! Bas de Leede to Mohammad Nawaz. Off cutter full toss, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed past deep extra cover for 4 runs.

6 October 2023 12:34

Pakistan vs Netherlands

41.4

Bas de Leede to Shadab Khan. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot Late Cut, to third man for 1 run, fielded by van Meekeren.

6 October 2023 12:34

Pakistan vs Netherlands

41.3

Bas de Leede to Mohammad Nawaz. Full toss, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed to mid off for 1 run, shy attempt by Singh, fielded by Zulfiqar.

6 October 2023 12:33

Pakistan vs Netherlands

41.2

Bas de Leede to Mohammad Nawaz. Off cutter back of a length, off stump on the back foot glancing, hit pad for no runs, fielded by Edwards.

6 October 2023 12:32

Pakistan vs Netherlands

41.1

FOUR! Bas de Leede to Mohammad Nawaz. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot cutting, well timed in the air uncontrolled past deep backward point for 4 runs.

6 October 2023 12:32

[6 October 2023 12:31 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan 233-6 (41) Nawaz 23 Shadab 25, Ackermann 1-26 (6)

A nice lap from Nawaz brings Pakistan three to end the over. Six in total. With nine overs to go, they are projected to end on 284 but they would definitely love to get up to in and around 300 if possible.

Pakistan vs Netherlands

40.6

Colin Ackermann to Mohammad Nawaz. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot sweeping, well timed to fine leg for 3 runs, run save by van Meekeren, fielded by Singh.

6 October 2023 12:30