Pakistan began their World Cup campaign with 81-run triumph over the Netherlands on Friday in Hyderabad.
The match was played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.
With three wickets in his 10 overs and 43 runs allowed, Haris Rauf was the top wicket-taker. Following closely behind with two wickets for 33 runs in his seven overs, Hasan Ali also contributed with one wicket each, along with Shaheen, Iftikhar, Nawaz, and Shadab.
Bas de Leede led the Dutch team in scoring with 67 runs, and opener Vikramjit Singh added 52 runs. Aside from them, none of the other batsmen succeeded in having a significant influence.
Earlier, Pakistan was all out for 286 in 49 overs against Netherlands. Their innings was powered by two big partnerships, for the fourth and seventh wicket respectively. Bas de Leede starred for the Dutch with his 4/62.
The Netherlands won the toss and elected to bowl first in their CWC opener in Hyderabad. Being among the two sides qualifying for the marquee event alongside Sri Lanka during the World Cup Qualifiers earlier this year, the Netherlands were coming off with confidence on their back. Against Pakistan, they showed why they wanted not to be treated as the underdogs.
The Pakistani openers, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq, alongside Captain Babar Azam, were sent packing inside the first ten overs, with the scorecard reading 38 for three at one stage. Keeper-batter Mohammed Rizwan and youngster Saud Shakeel brought Pakistan’s innings back on track with a healthy stand.
De Leede finished with 4-62 to bring the Netherlands back into the game after Shakeel struck an attractive 52-ball 68 and Rizwan’s 75-ball 68 boosted Pakistan after they were sent in to bat.
