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

9.1

OUT! Caught. Paul van Meekeren to Imam ul-Haq. Short, down leg side on the back foot hooking, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to fine leg, caught by Dutt.

6 October 2023 10:12

Pakistan vs Netherlands

8.6

Colin Ackermann to Mohammad Rizwan. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Singh.

6 October 2023 10:10

Pakistan vs Netherlands

8.5

Colin Ackermann to Mohammad Rizwan. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot Steer, to third man for 2 runs, fielded by O'Dowd.

6 October 2023 10:09

Pakistan vs Netherlands

8.4

Colin Ackermann to Mohammad Rizwan. Off break half volley, outside off stump on the front foot sweeping, well timed to deep backward square leg for 2 runs, run save by de Leede.

6 October 2023 10:09

[6 October 2023 10:08 · Ben Fleming]

WICKET! Babar c Zulfiqar b Ackermann 5 (18)

WICKET! A huge wicket for Netherlands and they have the Pakistan captain Babar Azam! It was a tentative start form the Pakistan No.3 and the pressure eventually tells as he mistimes a pull shot straight into the hands of Zulfiqar at midwicket.

[6 October 2023 10:06 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan vs Netherlands

8.3

OUT! Caught. Colin Ackermann to Babar Azam. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, mis-timed to short mid wicket, caught by Zulfiqar.

Pakistan vs Netherlands

8.2

Colin Ackermann to Babar Azam. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to mid off for no runs, fielded by Nidamanuru.

6 October 2023 10:05

Pakistan vs Netherlands

8.1

Colin Ackermann to Babar Azam. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, missed for no runs, fielded by Edwards.

6 October 2023 10:05

Pakistan vs Netherlands

7.6

Logan van Beek to Imam ul-Haq. Length ball, down leg side on the front foot defending, to silly mid off for no runs, fielded by O'Dowd.

6 October 2023 10:04

Pakistan vs Netherlands

7.5

Logan van Beek to Babar Azam. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot flick, to deep backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Nidamanuru.

6 October 2023 10:03