ISLAMABAD: Middle order batters Muhammad Rizwan and young talent Saud Shakil come to rescue Pakistan against the Netherlands in its first encounter in the ICC World Cup, which is underway at Hyderabad, India. Pakistan scored 286 all out in 49 overs, thanks to Rizwan and Saud Shakil, who managed to consolidate the innings after Pakistan was 38 for 3 in the first 9 overs.
Earlier winning the toss, the Dutch invited Pakistan to bat first on a flat pitch with a bit of seem. Pakistan took a very cautious start and soon lost its first wicket of the out-of-form Fakhar Zaman on just 12 runs as the Dutch strategy worked while introducing a spinner from the beginning. The early dismissal took Pakistan under pressure, resulting in another big blow in the shape of the skipper Babar Azam for just 5 runs. When the score reached 38, Pakistan lost its 3rd wicket, where Imam-ul-Haq added just 15 runs to the total.
Rizwan, Saud Take Pakistan into a Moderate Total
At the time, the Dutch bowlers were dominating Pakistan. However, the middle-order batter Muhammad Rizwan and the newly talented Saud Shakil managed to stay on the crease, and both completed their half-centuries, releasing the pressure. Both played well, with some good shorts across the boundary. They contributed 120 precious runs partnership for the tram. However, when Saud Shakil got dismissed while scoring 68 runs, the batting side once again came under pressure and lost two more quick wickets of Rizwan and Iftikhar.
It was an interesting competition between the ball and bat as after 6 dismissals, Nawaz and Shadab dominated the Dutch bowlers and took the time to cross the 200 mark. However, again, the Dutch Bowlers remained successful while taking the wicket of Shadab,. He scored precious 32 runs on 34 deliveries. Shadab Dismissal was soon followed by Hasan Ali for no score. However, Muhammad Nawaz managed to take the innings forward. But unfortunately, he got run out on 39. The Dutch pacers and spinners bowled superbly to restrict Pakistan to 286 all out in 49 overs.
Now it’s up to Pakistan’s bowling line how to defend a moderate total.
Pakistan’s Squad
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan†, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf
The Netherland Squad
Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (c)†, Saqib Zulfiqar, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren
