Pakistan Dominates Netherlands in ODI World Cup Opener
Pakistan began their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign on a winning note, defeating the Netherlands by 81 runs in their opening match in Hyderabad on Friday.
The Men in Green were put in to bat first and posted a total of 286 all out in 49 overs, thanks to half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan (68) and Saud Shakeel (68).
The Netherlands bowlers made a good start to the innings, reducing Pakistan to 3 wickets down for 56 runs in the 13th over. However, Rizwan and Shakeel put on a 103-run partnership for the fourth wicket to help Pakistan recover.
After Rizwan’s dismissal in the 34th over, Shakeel continued his good work and added another 50-run partnership with Shadab Khan for the fifth wicket.
The Netherlands bowlers eventually dismissed Pakistan for 286 in the 49th over, with Bas de Leede being the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets.
In reply, the Netherlands were bowled out for 205 in 41 overs, with Haris Rauf taking 3 wickets for Pakistan.
The Dutch openers, Vikramjit Singh and Max O’Dowd, made a good start to the chase, putting on 50 runs for the first wicket. However, after O’Dowd’s dismissal in the 12th over, the Netherlands wickets fell in quick succession.
Singh continued to fight on and scored a half-century (52), but he was eventually dismissed in the 27th over. De Leede then tried to keep the Netherlands in the hunt with a valiant 67, but it was not enough to prevent Pakistan from winning the match.
Pakistan’s bowlers were too good for the Netherlands
Pakistan’s bowlers were in excellent form on Friday, dismissing the Netherlands for 205 in 41 overs.
Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets, while Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi took 2 wickets each.
The Netherlands batsmen struggled to cope with the pace and accuracy of the Pakistan bowlers, and they were eventually bowled out for a below-par score.
Pakistan make a winning start to their World Cup campaign
Pakistan’s victory over the Netherlands was a good start to their World Cup campaign.
The Men in Green showed good character to recover from a shaky start to the innings, and their bowlers were in excellent form.
Pakistan will be looking to build on this momentum and continue their winning run in the tournament.