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

17.5

FOUR! Roelof van der Merwe to Mohammad Rizwan. Stock length ball, to leg on the front foot sweeping, well timed in the air under control past deep backward square leg for 4 runs.

6 October 2023 10:51

Pakistan vs Netherlands

17.4

Roelof van der Merwe to Mohammad Rizwan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to silly mid off for no runs.

6 October 2023 10:51

Pakistan vs Netherlands

17.3

Roelof van der Merwe to Saud Shakeel. Stock length ball, down leg side on the front foot working, in the air under control to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by de Leede.

6 October 2023 10:50

Pakistan vs Netherlands

17.2

Roelof van der Merwe to Mohammad Rizwan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to mid off for 1 run, fielded by van Meekeren.

6 October 2023 10:50

[6 October 2023 10:49 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan 84-3 (17) Rizwan 24, Shakeel 26, De Leede 0-9 (2)

Just the three of the over for Pakistan but they continue to rebuild nicely. There were concerns around the Netherlands’ options in the middle overs before the tournament so this will be a telling period for them now to prove their worth.

Pakistan vs Netherlands

17.1

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

6 October 2023 10:49

Pakistan vs Netherlands

16.6

Bas de Leede to Mohammad Rizwan. Short, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by O'Dowd.

6 October 2023 10:48

Pakistan vs Netherlands

16.4

Bas de Leede to Mohammad Rizwan. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Zulfiqar.

6 October 2023 10:47

Pakistan vs Netherlands

16.3

Bas de Leede to Mohammad Rizwan. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to silly mid on for no runs, fielded by Dutt.

6 October 2023 10:47

Pakistan vs Netherlands

16.2

Wide Bas de Leede to Saud Shakeel. Short, down leg side on the back foot Leave, Left for 1 run, fielded by Edwards.

6 October 2023 10:46