ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, Hyderabad |
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Pakistan 286 (49 overs): Shakeel 68 (52), Rizwan 68 (75). De Reid 4-62 |
Netherlands 205 (41 overs): De Lied 67 (68); Rauch 3-43 |
In the opening match of the World Cup in Hyderabad, Pakistan defeated the dynamic Netherlands and won by scoring 81 points.
Pakistan were bowled out for 286 in 49 overs, with Saud Shakeel and Muhammad Rizwan both making 68.
Holland got off to a good start and reached 120 wins and 2 losses, but faltered in the middle overs, losing 4 wickets for 38 runs.
All-rounder Bas de Lied scored 67 runs with 4 wins and 62 losses, but his excellent efforts were in vain as the team was all out and scored 205 runs.
Pakistan were sluggish in the early stages with 38 wins and 3 losses, with captain Babar Azam losing by just five runs, but Shakeel and Rizwan scored a vital stand of 120 runs.
De Lied pulled his team back into contention with two strikes in the 32nd over, and then picked up two wickets in two balls in the 44th over, breaking Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz’s partnership of 64.
Dutch opener Vikram Singh responded with a courageous half-century, but Pakistan’s experienced bowling attack, led by seamer Haris Rauf’s 3-43, withstood the pressure from Pakistan. – Reid struggled to support his mid-order players and dismissed the Dutch in 41 overs. .
Netherlands will play New Zealand in their next match on Monday, while Pakistan will face Sri Lanka the next day.
Inconsistent Pakistan gets the job done.
The margin of victory in the end will give Pakistan confidence, especially considering they are far from their best.
In many ways it was a characteristic performance from Babar’s side, who has a reputation for unpredictability.
They oscillated between bat flamboyance and weirdness. Shakeel and Rizwan’s class was juxtaposed with Nawaz’s comical run-out when he reacted too slowly to Shaheen Afridi’s attempted single off a deflection and was sent off for a direct hit by Colin Akerman.
Their score of 286, bowled out in the first over, may not have been good enough against better quality opposition, but they are always dangerous with the ball in their hands.
Shaheen’s ferocious death bowling negated his instability against the new ball, and Rauf’s ferocious pace unsettled the inexperienced Dutch middle order, with spinners Shadab and Nawaz taking a wicket each.
Hassan Ali also returned to the team with an impressive record of 2-33.
The Netherlands can take encouragement from the fact that there was no huge gap in the skills on display, which ultimately speaks to Pakistan’s superior experience.
Pakistan avoided a shock here but is likely to deliver more surprises and thrills in the group stage. They reached the final of last year’s T20 World Cup despite losing their first two matches.
De Lid gives an impression of defeat
It took something very special to pull off a top-notch chase against Pakistan in 50 overs at the World Cup.
But for a long time, it looked like De Lied could lead the team there.
The 23-year-old timed the ball brilliantly with a sumptuous drive through the covers and bravely challenged short balls from Shaheen and Rauf.
He was calm and composed in his 70 stand with Singh, but he sparkled even more when the mid- and lower-order players joined him.
He looked to be at his lowest when Nawaz burst through the defense for a run after a 68-ball stay, but the Durham man is now showcasing his talent on the biggest stage.
“A game that got away” – Reaction
Former IPL batsman Abhishek Jhunjhunwala on BBC Test Match Special: “Pakistan had lost their last four matches leading up to this tournament, so it was very important for us to get a win and build confidence.
“Pakistan is always going to be a dangerous team, especially in the subcontinent.”
Dutch national team captain Scott Edwards: “It was probably a runaway game, we were in a good position to win 120-2.
“Losing wickets in the midfield held us back. Bas de Reid is a quality cricketer and we needed other players to follow him.”
Pakistan captain Babar Azam: “I’m pretty happy with it, credit to the bowlers, but the medium-order wicket really put pressure on them.
“Muhammad Rizwan and Saud Shakir have given us a partnership that gives us momentum. We are very happy.”