Having chosen to bowl first, the Netherlands started off extremely well. In the powerplay, their bowlers were absolutely outstanding. They started the bowling employing a spinner since they had a perfect grasp of the surface, and Aryan Dutt had the ability to produce turn right immediately.
In the powerplay, three wickets were lost, and Pakistan was in trouble. However, Saud Shakeel as well as Rizwan started over and enjoyed a century stand. When they were batting, it appeared like they would reach a high score, but they both lost it.
Bas de Leede proved to be outstanding because he managed to contain Pakistan by taking wickets at regular intervals. Shadab and Nawaz had another important alliance, but they did not take advantage of it. Even though Haris Rauf scored 16 key runs at the very end, Pakistan will still be a little let down by their total of 286 and they mostly have themselves to blame.
Netherlands show fight but falter against Pakistan
After that, the Netherlands had a strong start in the pursuit, partly because of Vikramjit Singh. Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit’s opening partner, was removed by Hasan Ali in the sixth over, but Pakistan hasn’t exactly caused as much damage as the Netherlands managed in the first ten overs. At the halfway point, Netherlands was three down at 125 on the board.
The Netherlands’ decline began when they lost wickets at critical points in the game. They had hitters who got off to good starts but lost their wickets as they tried to up the run pace. The Dutch team’s standout player, Bas de Leede, took four wickets and scored fifty runs.
Babar Azam, the winning skipper was buoyant about his team’s performance. He said, “Pretty satisfied, credit to the bowlers, the way started well and the way we took wickets in the middle overs. We lost three wickets, the way Rizwan and Saud batted put pressure on the Netherlands. Saud built his innings and played well. He has improved a lot. Our bowlers bowled very well, we stuck to our plans, Haris bowled quick and took wickets.”
Fans react as Pakistan register 81 run victory over the Netherlands in ODI World Cup 2023:
PAKISTAN BEAT NETHERLANDS BY 81 RUNS…!!!!
Great start for the tournament, lots of positives, without any contribution from the Top 3, they have managed a huge victory. pic.twitter.com/WtrswNCadH
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 6, 2023
Holy Own Pakistan ? pic.twitter.com/xK0Ps5nxzB
— TEJASH ? (@LoyleRohitFan) October 6, 2023
The best part was Indian Muslims support towards our team in the audience???
— Syed Zaighum Kazmi (@syedzaighum110) October 6, 2023
Upset in first match , we are not used to this anyway congrats to Pakistan
— *Roe Joot* (@ImGani22) October 6, 2023
Our match had a very rough start, and we made a lot of mistakes. However, during the middle overs, Pakistan made a comeback and took wickets. Congratulations to Pakistan on their first World Cup win against Netherlands! And sorry to disappoint you indians ?
— Hamza Tariq (@_HamzaPro) October 6, 2023
We are here to win the ? pic.twitter.com/32jdvcc87a
— H A M Z A ?? (@HamzaKhan259) October 6, 2023
Ab agli bari India ki, India ko us k ghr main thoky gy inshaAllah ?
— Adnan Shahid (@AdnanSP_) October 6, 2023
Koi nhi
But best performer netherland players ???— GORDXROHIT (@gordxrohit) October 6, 2023
Well played Netherlands
— Secular Chad (@SachabhartiyaRW) October 6, 2023
Pakistan's impressive 81-run victory over the Netherlands sets a promising tone for the tournament, highlighting their depth and resilience in the team.
— Tahir Chaudhary (@3MTS_) October 6, 2023
