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

10.4

Aryan Dutt to Mohammad Rizwan. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by de Leede.

6 October 2023 10:20

Pakistan vs Netherlands

10.3

FOUR! Aryan Dutt to Mohammad Rizwan. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, inside edge past fine leg for 4 runs.

6 October 2023 10:19

Pakistan vs Netherlands

10.2

Aryan Dutt to Mohammad Rizwan. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by van der Merwe.

6 October 2023 10:19

Pakistan vs Netherlands

10.1

Aryan Dutt to Saud Shakeel. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to mid off for 1 run, fielded by O'Dowd.

6 October 2023 10:18

Pakistan vs Netherlands

9.6

Paul van Meekeren to Saud Shakeel. Length ball, middle stump on the front foot driving, to extra cover for 1 run, run save by O'Dowd.

6 October 2023 10:16

Pakistan vs Netherlands

9.5

Paul van Meekeren to Saud Shakeel. Length ball, to leg on the front foot defending, to backward point for no runs, run save by de Leede, fielded by Ackermann.

6 October 2023 10:16

Pakistan vs Netherlands

9.4

Paul van Meekeren to Saud Shakeel. Length ball, middle stump on the back foot driving, missed for no runs, fielded by Edwards.

6 October 2023 10:15

Pakistan vs Netherlands

9.3

FOUR! Paul van Meekeren to Saud Shakeel. Back of a length, down leg side on the back foot Late Cut, top edge in the air uncontrolled past third man for 4 runs.

6 October 2023 10:14

Pakistan vs Netherlands

9.2

Paul van Meekeren to Saud Shakeel. Length ball, down leg side on the front foot flick, to square leg for no runs, fielded by Zulfiqar.

6 October 2023 10:14

[6 October 2023 10:12 · Ben Fleming]

WICKET! Imam c Dutt b Van Meekeren 15 (19) (Pak 38-3)

Wow! What a start from the Netherlands and they are all over the favourites here. A short ball from Van Meekeren catches out Imam and it’s a regulation catch from Dutt at fine leg after the Pakistan opener can’t control his attempted pull shot.