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

30.3

Aryan Dutt to Mohammad Rizwan. Off break length ball, to leg on the back foot driving, to long on for 1 run, fielded by van der Merwe.

6 October 2023 11:47

Pakistan vs Netherlands

30.1

Aryan Dutt to Iftikhar Ahmed. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to cover for no runs, fielded by Zulfiqar.

6 October 2023 11:46

[6 October 2023 11:45 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan 170-4 (30) Rizwan 63 Iftikhar 2, Van Meekeren 1-32 (5)

A lovely touch from Rizwan as he ramps Van Meekeren’s first delivery to the boundary rope. He and Iftikhar hustle for another for a few twos as they pile on ten from the over. Pakistan will be eyeing up another big partnership here.

Pakistan vs Netherlands

29.6

Paul van Meekeren to Mohammad Rizwan. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by O'Dowd.

6 October 2023 11:45

Pakistan vs Netherlands

29.5

Paul van Meekeren to Mohammad Rizwan. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot flick, to deep mid wicket for 2 runs, fielded by Ackermann.

6 October 2023 11:45

Pakistan vs Netherlands

29.4

Paul van Meekeren to Mohammad Rizwan. Off cutter back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, to deep backward square leg for 2 runs, fielded by Ackermann.

6 October 2023 11:44

Pakistan vs Netherlands

29.3

Paul van Meekeren to Iftikhar Ahmed. Short, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Ackermann.

6 October 2023 11:43

Pakistan vs Netherlands

29.2

Paul van Meekeren to Mohammad Rizwan. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot Late Cut, to third man for 1 run.

6 October 2023 11:43

Pakistan vs Netherlands

29.1

FOUR! Paul van Meekeren to Mohammad Rizwan. Short, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, well timed in the air under control past third man for 4 runs.

6 October 2023 11:42

[6 October 2023 11:41 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan 160-4 (29) Rizwan 54 Iftikhar 1, Dutt 1-29 (7)

A tight over from Dutt as he comes back into the attack. Just two runs coming from the off-spinner’s seventh over as well as the crucial wicket of Shakeel.

Iftikhar is the new man. He’s a power hitter but he’ll need to make sure he’s in at the end to fully cash in and get Pakistan a big score.