World Cup 2023 | Shakeel, Haris Rauf-led  PAK Survive Bas de Leede Scare To Clinch A Fighting Win

Saud Shakeel and Mohammad slapped 68 each against Netherlands (AP)

Brief Scores: Pakistan: 286 all out (49 overs) [Saud Shakeel: 68 (52), Mohammad Rizwan: 68 (75); Bas de Leede 4/62 (9), Colin Ackermann 2/39 (8)] defeated Netherlands: 205 all out (41 overs) [Bas de Leede: 67 (68), Vikramjit Singh: 52 (67); Haris Rauf 3/43 (9), Hasan Ali 2/33 (7)] by 81 runs.

Pakistan overcame their early batting jitters to hand Netherlands a huge defeat in Hyderabad, thus registering their opening points of the ongoing 2023 World Cup. After being put into bat first, the ‘Men in Green’ top-order was resurrected by Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel via identical half-centuries. Bowlers completed the demolition job later in the evening at a high-scoring venue, as Babar Azam and co. walked away with a 81-run win upfront.

Rizwan, Shakeel elevate Pakistan to a competitive total

Captain Babar Azam scored just five after both openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq failed to capitalize in the powerplay overs. Tottering at 38-3 within the opening hour of the match, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and middle-order batsman Saud Shakeel shared 120 runs together for the fourth wicket to take Pakistan past the 150-run mark without further casualty.

The two batters scored 68 each, and in doing so, set up a concrete base in the middle overs for a competitive total. Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan provided the finishing touches to the innings with crucial 30s as Pakistan surged to a competitive 286.

Among the Dutch bowlers, Bas de Leede inflicted the most damage to the famed Pakistani batting line-up with figures of 4-62. New-ball duo Aryan Dutt and Logan van Beek also chipped in with wickets, and so did Colin Ackermann and Paul van Meekeren.

Middle-order collapse costs Netherlands the game

Netherlands opener Vikramjit Singh launched his side’s run-chase quest cautiously by ticking away quick runs from his end. His partner Max O’Dowd and number three Colin Ackermann, however, failed to hold up their ends of the crease as both made their way back to the pavilion early in the innings.

Bas de Leede, who struck four times with the ball, crafted an imperial half-century with his near run-a-ball 67. Singh also scored 52 before both their dismissals reduced Netherlands to 164-7.

Pakistan’s comeback man Hasan Ali, who dismissed Dowd, claimed two wickets from his seven overs. Shaheen Afridi also packed Saqib Zulfiqar after the speedster failed to make any impact with the new-ball. Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan all claimed a wicket each while Haris Rauf finished with 3-43 from his nine-over spell.

Pakistan eventually emerged victorious by 81 runs, and will now face Sri Lanka for their subsequent World Cup 2023 challenge.

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