ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s pacer and spinners’ combined effort resulted in an 81-run win against the Netherlands in its first match in the ICC World Cup at Hyderabad, India on Friday. All pacers and spin bowlers took wickets to play their part in the victory.
While chasing 287 to win, the Netherlands took a moderate start and managed to handle Shaheen Shah Afridi’s spell. However, lost its first wicket of Max O’Dowd on 5 when the score was 28 in the third over of Hasan Ali. Number third batter Collin Ackermann showed some resistance but soon was bowled out by Iftikhar Ahmad on 17.
However, when the inform Bas De Leede came to the crease, he managed to take the inning forward with the opener Vikramjit Singh. Both the players brought Pakistan under pressure while playing some good shots. Singh completed his half-century but soon was removed by Shadab on 52. In a couple of overs later, Harif Rauf grabbed two wickets in a single over to the Dutch under pressure. At that stage, The Netherlands were 133 for 5 in 26.4 overs.
However, Bas De Leede, like bowling remained solid in the batting to keep the other hand and completed his half-century while producing some good shots. When the score reached 158 in the 33rd over, Shaheen Afridi soon after coming back to his second spell, removed Saqib Zulfiqar as leg before the wicket on 10. In the next over, Muhammad Nawaz bowled out the inform and dangerous De Lead on 67. He faced just 68 balls and smashed six fours and two sixes.
After the dismissal of De lead the momentum of the Dutch was restricted, followed by the removal of Van Der Merwe, who was run out by Babar on 4. At the stage, the Netherlands was 176 for 8 in 36 overs. In a couple of overs the Dutch lost its 9th wicket when Hasan Ali removed Aryan Dut on 1 run when the total score was 184. Haris Rauf grabbed the last wicket when the Netherlands was all out on 205 in 41 overs.
Haris Rauf was the leading wicket taker while grabbing 3 wickets for conceding 43 runs in 9 overs. Hasan Ali took 2 wickets, while Shaheen Afridi, Iftikhar, Shadab, and Nawaz grabbed one wicket each.
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 into 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 losing two more quick wickets of Rizwan and Iftikhar.
It was in interesting competition between the ball and bat as after 6 dismissal, Nawaz and Shadab dominated the Dutch bowlers and take 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.
Bas De Leede was the most successful bowler for the Netherlands grabbing 4 crucial wickets.
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 Netherlands 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
