Pakistan defeated the Netherlands by 81 runs, in their World Cup 2023 opener in Hyderabad. Pakistan’s bowlers dismantled the Dutch batting lineup in 41 overs at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad India.
Pakistan win in Hyderabad marked the 1st World Cup win on Indian soil. Despite a steady start by the Netherlands, Pakistan’s bowlers took quick wickets, and the Dutch team was all-out for 205 runs.
Vikramjit Singh and Bas de Leede were the top scorers for the Netherlands with 52 and 67 runs, respectively.
Pakistan posted a total of 286 runs after facing early setbacks, with Saud Shakeel hitting a half-century in 37 balls.
Skipper Babar Azam had hoped for a 300-run total but the Netherlands restricted Pakistan to 286 in 49 overs.
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Mohammed Rizwan and Shakeel played crucial roles in Pakistan’s innings, and Shadab Khan and Mohammed Nawaz contributed with the bat to help Pakistan reach a competitive total.
Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz also played notable innings to bolster Pakistan’s score. Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel both scored 68 runs, while Bas de Leede took four wickets for the Netherlands, and Colin Ackermann took two dismissals.
SQUADS:
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf
Netherlands: Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (wk, c), Saqib Zulfiqar, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren .
