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

31.4

FOUR! Mohammad Nawaz to Saqib Zulfiqar. Stock length ball, off stump on the back foot pulling, well timed in the air under control past deep mid wicket for 4 runs.

6 October 2023 15:57

Pakistan vs Netherlands

31.3

Mohammad Nawaz to Saqib Zulfiqar. Stock length ball, down leg side on the front foot reverse sweeping, missed for no runs, fielded by Rizwan.

6 October 2023 15:57

Pakistan vs Netherlands

31.2

Mohammad Nawaz to Bas de Leede. Stock ball half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to long off for 1 run, fielded by Shakeel.

6 October 2023 15:56

Pakistan vs Netherlands

31.1

Mohammad Nawaz to Bas de Leede. Stock ball half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by ul-Haq.

6 October 2023 15:56

[6 October 2023 15:55 · Ben Fleming]

Netherlands 152-5 (31) De Leede 62, Zulfiqar 5, Shaheen 0-23 (5) target 287

Shaheen back into the attack with Babar wanting to conserve Rauf’s remaining overs. A late appeal for LBW as the ball catches De Leede’s pads but likely going down the leg side. A good start, regardless, for the returning quick with just two runs coming from the over.

[6 October 2023 15:54 · Ben Fleming]

Pakistan vs Netherlands

30.6

APPEAL! Shaheen Afridi to Saqib Zulfiqar. Yorker, to leg on the front foot working, hit pad to silly point for no runs, appeal made for L.B.W.

Pakistan vs Netherlands

30.5

Shaheen Afridi to Saqib Zulfiqar. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to short leg for no runs.

6 October 2023 15:54

Pakistan vs Netherlands

30.4

Shaheen Afridi to Bas de Leede. Length ball, off stump on the front foot flick, inside edge to deep backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Shakeel.

6 October 2023 15:53

Pakistan vs Netherlands

30.2

Shaheen Afridi to Saqib Zulfiqar. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Ali.

6 October 2023 15:52

Pakistan vs Netherlands

30.1

Shaheen Afridi to Saqib Zulfiqar. Length ball, to leg on the back foot cutting, to backward point for no runs.

6 October 2023 15:51