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

27.3

Paul van Meekeren to Mohammad Rizwan. Length ball, off stump on the front foot flick, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Ackermann.

6 October 2023 11:33

Pakistan vs Netherlands

27.2

Paul van Meekeren to Mohammad Rizwan. Off cutter back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, to backward point for no runs, fielded by de Leede.

6 October 2023 11:32

[6 October 2023 11:31 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan 155-3 (27) Rizwan 52 Shakeel 66, Zulfiqar 0-15 (2)

A lovely reverse sweep from Shakeel who beats short third-man as another races to the boundary ropes. Seven off the over as Pakistan cruise past 150.

Netherlands created pressure and plenty of dot balls at the start of this innings but have really struggled to build any pressure in this partnership.

Pakistan vs Netherlands

26.6

Saqib Zulfiqar to Saud Shakeel. Googly full toss, outside off stump on the front foot flick, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on for 1 run, fielded by Nidamanuru.

6 October 2023 11:30

Pakistan vs Netherlands

26.4

Saqib Zulfiqar to Mohammad Rizwan. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by van der Merwe.

6 October 2023 11:29

Pakistan vs Netherlands

26.2

Saqib Zulfiqar to Saud Shakeel. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the front foot working, to mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Dutt.

6 October 2023 11:29

Pakistan vs Netherlands

26.1

FOUR! Saqib Zulfiqar to Saud Shakeel. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, well timed past third man for 4 runs.

6 October 2023 11:28

Pakistan vs Netherlands

25.6

Logan van Beek to Saud Shakeel. Short, down leg side on the back foot Late Cut, to third man for 1 run, fielded by Nidamanuru.

6 October 2023 11:27

[6 October 2023 11:26 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan 148-3 (26) Rizwan 51 Shakeel 60, Van Beek 0-30 (6)

Rizwan now brings up his fifty with a single into the leg side. The 100 century as well for these two - a great response after that troubling start for the favourites.

Five off the over for Pakistan as they continue to rotate the strike with ease.

Pakistan vs Netherlands

25.5

Logan van Beek to Saud Shakeel. Off cutter length ball, off stump on the front foot driving, missed for no runs, fielded by Edwards.

6 October 2023 11:26