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

19.2

Roelof van der Merwe to Mohammad Rizwan. Stock ball half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed to mid on for 1 run, fielded by Singh.

6 October 2023 10:57

[6 October 2023 10:56 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan 98-3 (19) Rizwan 36, Shakeel 27, De Leede 0-17 (3)

Pakistan have firmly taken control now after their early wobble. Rizwan times a fuller ball beautifully back down the ground of De Leede for another four runs as they take eight from the over.

Pakistan vs Netherlands

18.6

Bas de Leede to Mohammad Rizwan. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot working, to mid on for 1 run, run save by Dutt.

6 October 2023 10:56

Pakistan vs Netherlands

18.5

Bas de Leede to Mohammad Rizwan. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to silly mid off for no runs, fielded by Nidamanuru.

6 October 2023 10:55

Pakistan vs Netherlands

18.4

Bas de Leede to Saud Shakeel. Short, down leg side on the back foot pulling, mis-timed to deep backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Ackermann.

6 October 2023 10:55

Pakistan vs Netherlands

18.3

Bas de Leede to Mohammad Rizwan. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by O'Dowd.

6 October 2023 10:54

Pakistan vs Netherlands

18.2

FOUR! Bas de Leede to Mohammad Rizwan. Half volley, off stump on the front foot driving, well timed past long on for 4 runs.

6 October 2023 10:54

Pakistan vs Netherlands

18.1

Bas de Leede to Saud Shakeel. Back of a length, down leg side on the back foot flick, to deep backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Singh.

6 October 2023 10:53

[6 October 2023 10:52 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan 90-3 (18) Rizwan 30, Shakeel 25, Van der Merwe 0-9 (2)

Rizwan punishes a short ball as he crunches one through the leg side for another boundary to move into the thirty. Six off the over.

Pakistan vs Netherlands

17.6

Roelof van der Merwe to Mohammad Rizwan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by de Leede.

6 October 2023 10:52