ICC World Cup 2023 Match 2: Pakistan VS Netherlands played at Rajeev Gandhi Stadium Hyderabad, India on 6 October 2023
Pakistan 286 All Out in 49 Overs (Mohammad Rizwan 68, Saud Shakeel 68, Mohammad Nawas 39, Shadab Khan 32, Baas de Leede 4/62, Collin Ackerman 2/39, Logan Van Beek 1/30, Aryan Dutt 1/40)
Netherlands 205 All Out in 41 Overs (Bas de Leede 67, Vikramjit Singh 52, Logan Van Beek 28*, Harris Rauf 3/43, Hasan Ali 2/33, Iftikhar Ahmed 1/16, Mohammad Nawaz 1/31, Shaheen Shah Afridi 1/37, Shadab Khan 1/45)
Pakistan Won by 81 Runs, Player of the match: Saud Shakeel
Netherlands went down to Pakistan by 81 runs despite of very impressive all-round performance of Baas de Leede (4/62 and 67 Runs).
Netherlands winning the toss and electing to field almost put Pakistan to the brink bowling to a plan and fielding well. They had Pakistan on the rope reducing them to 3/38. But then young Saud Shakeel (68) teaming with Pakistan one of the main stays Mohammad Rizwan (68) stitching together 120 4th wicket partnership revived Pakistan innings on a not too easy wicket to bat. Pakistan was all out 286 in 49 overs.
Netherlands did not have batting resources to overhaul the target. Despite of impressive innings of their star all rounder Bass de Leede scoring 67 Netherlands got all out for 205. Pakistan won by 81 and made a resounding start of their mission World Cup. This Netherland team may cause one or few upsets. They look not mere push overs.
The day was warm and humid. Netherlands winning the toss elected to field. Pakistan innings started disastrously as Fakhar Zaman, Imamul Haque and Babar Azam were removed early with 38 runs on board. Impressive Dutch pacer Logan van Beek extended the poor form of Fakhar Zaman having him caught and bowled in the 4th over. Pakistan’s premiere batsman Babar Azam also feel cheap for only 5 felling to Ackerman. Pakistan was looking shaky at 38/3 when Imam Ul Haq also departed. It was left to flamboyant Mohammad Rizwan (68) and Young Saud Shakeel (68) carrying out rescue act. The dynamic fourth wicket partnership adding 120 runs at impressive rate set a platform for Pakistan.
Pakistani all rounders Mohammad Newas (39) and Shadab Khan (32) made useful contributions as Pakistan got up to 286 all out in 49 overs. Brilliant Dutch all-rounder Bass de Leede taking 4/62 did not let Pakistan bat Netherlands completely out of the match. Colin Ackerman took 2 for 39. On a sluggish wicket occasionally gripping and turning Pakistan innings had contributions of their still rusty middle order.
Netherlands whatever well prepared they are overhauling the target against strong Pakistan attack was not easy. Still inspired by brilliant Dutch all rounder Bass de Leede scoring 67 they at times threatened. But he had very little support from his mates other than Vikramjit Singh at the top scoring 52. Pakistan bowled as a team with Harris Rauf (3/43) spearheading. Hasan Ali took 2/33. Iftikhar Ahmed (1/16), Mohammad Nawaz (1/31), Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/37) and Shadab Khan (1/45) also chipped in. Pakistan had a comfortable win by 81 runs.
Youngster Saud Shakeel for his fluent stroke full innings of 68 was adjudged player of the match. Pakistan needs sorting out top order batting. Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul Haq are completely out of form. Pakistan missed the dynamic Naseem Shah. Like the first match gallery at Rajeev Gandhi stadium was also empty.
Netherlands looked impressive. If they can improve their batting, they may make one or few teams struggle against them even in this CWC 2023.
BDST: 0900 HRS, OCT 07, 2023
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