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

[6 October 2023 12:18 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan 210-6 (38) Nawaz 12 Shadab 15, Van der Merwe 0-36 (6)

Van der Merwe is slightly annoyed at his fielders after a miscued effort down the ground from Shabab allows Pakistan to sneak two runs. There’s a quick check with the third umpire for a run out but nothing doing - not out.

Six off the over for Pakistan.

Pakistan vs Netherlands

37.6

Roelof van der Merwe to Shadab Khan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, to point for no runs, run save by O'Dowd.

6 October 2023 12:18

Pakistan vs Netherlands

37.5

APPEAL! Roelof van der Merwe to Shadab Khan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long off for 2 runs, fielded by van Meekeren, appeal made for Run Out.

6 October 2023 12:18

Pakistan vs Netherlands

37.4

Roelof van der Merwe to Mohammad Nawaz. Stock length ball, middle stump down the track working, to long on for 1 run, fielded by van Meekeren.

6 October 2023 12:17

Pakistan vs Netherlands

37.3

Roelof van der Merwe to Shadab Khan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long off for 1 run.

6 October 2023 12:16

Pakistan vs Netherlands

37.2

Roelof van der Merwe to Mohammad Nawaz. Stock length ball, off stump on the front foot pushing, to short extra cover for 1 run, fielded by Zulfiqar.

6 October 2023 12:16

Pakistan vs Netherlands

37.1

Roelof van der Merwe to Shadab Khan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by de Leede.

6 October 2023 12:15

[6 October 2023 12:14 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan 204-6 (37) Nawaz 10 Shadab 11, Ackermann 1-11 (4)

Pakistan tick over the 200 mark with five singles off Ackermann’s fourth over. No need to panic for Pakistan but they must ensure they don’t lose any more wickets before the final stretch of this innings.

Pakistan vs Netherlands

36.6

Colin Ackermann to Shadab Khan. Off break back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot working, to long on for 1 run, fielded by Dutt.

6 October 2023 12:14

Pakistan vs Netherlands

36.5

Colin Ackermann to Mohammad Nawaz. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to point for 1 run, fielded by Singh.

6 October 2023 12:14