Hyderabad, October 6, 2023 – In a thrilling encounter at Hyderabad, Pakistan secured a convincing 81-run victory against the Netherlands in the ongoing 2023 World Cup, bouncing back from early batting struggles to open their campaign with a win. Pakistan’s ‘Men in Green’ displayed resilience, with both their batting and bowling units coming together to dominate the contest.
Rizwan and Shakeel Lead the Recovery
Pakistan, after being put into bat, found themselves in a spot of bother early on as openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq faltered during the powerplay overs. However, the middle-order pair of Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel played pivotal roles in resurrecting the innings. Both batsmen showcased their class with identical half-centuries, scoring 68 runs each.
Their partnership of 120 runs for the fourth wicket laid a solid foundation in the middle overs, enabling Pakistan to cross the 150-run mark without further losses. Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan provided the finishing touches with crucial 30s, propelling Pakistan to a competitive total of 286.
The Dutch bowlers faced a stern challenge from the Pakistani duo. Bas de Leede emerged as the most successful bowler for the Netherlands, claiming four crucial wickets for 62 runs. Aryan Dutt, Logan van Beek, Colin Ackermann, and Paul van Meekeren also contributed with valuable wickets.
Dutch Middle-Order Collapse
In response, the Netherlands began their run-chase cautiously, with opener Vikramjit Singh taking charge. Unfortunately for the Dutch side, Max O’Dowd and number three Colin Ackermann fell early in the innings.
Bas de Leede, who had earlier shone with the ball, displayed his all-around abilities with a majestic half-century, scoring 67 runs at nearly a run-a-ball. Vikramjit Singh also contributed with a gritty 52, but their dismissals left the Netherlands struggling at 164-7.
Pakistan’s Hasan Ali, making a comeback, bagged two crucial wickets during his seven-over spell. Shaheen Afridi also made an impact, dismissing Saqib Zulfiqar. Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Shadab Khan joined the wicket-taking parade, while Haris Rauf capped off a fine bowling performance with figures of 3-43 from his nine overs.
Pakistan’s Next Challenge: Sri Lanka
Pakistan’s emphatic 81-run win marked their successful start in the 2023 World Cup. The team now looks forward to their next encounter against Sri Lanka. With the confidence of a convincing victory behind them, Pakistan aims to build momentum and make a strong statement in this highly competitive tournament. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly anticipate the clash between these cricketing giants in this thrilling World Cup edition.