Match Center

Right then, that is it from this quite entertaining game where Netherlands fought hard but it Pakistan who got over the line in the end. The action continues in this World Cup as we have a double-header lined up for us on 7th October, Saturday. The first game will be between two Asian rivals, Bangladesh and Afghanistan at 10.30 am IST (5 am GMT) while in the second match, South Africa takes on Sri Lanka, and that game will start at 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT), but as you know you can join us early for all the build-up to both games. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

The victorious captain of Pakistan, Babar Azam says that the way Hyderabad has supported them is really good to see and the players have enjoyed this hospitality. Adds that he is satisfied with the result. Credits his bowlers and says it was important to take wickets in the middle overs. Praises Saud Shakeel and Rizwan for their batting after losing three quick wickets. Says the way Saud built his innings shows his improvement and the bowlers stuck to the plan as well.

The skipper of the Netherlands, Scott Edwards says that it was a bit disappointing. Mentions that they bowled and fielded well. Feels that they were par and had a good chance at 120 for 2. Shares that Bas de Leede is a quality player in all three departments. Adds that he played an awesome innings and needed someone to be with him. Informs that he has not spoken to Logan van Beek yet and needs to see where he is at. Feels that this was a game that got away.

Saud Shakeel is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his knock of 68 runs off 52 balls on his World Cup debut. He starts by thanking the almighty. Mentions that he is very pleased and tries to follow the basics. Shares that there were nerves but he looked to be positive. States that the talk with Rizwan was to stay positive. Feels that he was fortunate to get early boundaries which helped him. Also says that he had been working hard on his game and utilised his basics. Ends by thanking the coaches and the support staff for their support.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, after being forced to bat first, Pakistan struggled initially but posted a good total on the board courtesy of two fine fifties from Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan and some late contributions from Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan. Bas de Leede was the pick of the bowlers for Netherlands with a four-wicket haul while Colin Ackermann got a couple as well with Aryan Dutt, Logan van Beek, and Paul van Meekeren chipped in with one as well. While chasing, it was Bas de Leede again along with Vikramjit Singh who showed some fight, but they needed way more from the other batters to challenge the quality bowling of Pakistan.

Pakistan, on the other hand, would have hoped for a better effort but would be happy that they got the job done in the end. Shaheen Afridi struggled a bit with the new ball but Hasan Ali was excellent and provided the early breakthrough. The decision from Babar Azam to give the ball to Iftikhar Ahmed proved right as he picked up a wicket on his very first delivery. However, after that they let Netherlands build a partnership and come back in the game, but Shadab Khan broke that stand, and Haris Rauf delivered the magic with the old ball and got two wickets in the same over to get them on top again. It should have been three in the same over but Iftikhar dropped a sitter which fortunately didn't affect them that much. Afridi followed it up with one more. Bas de Leede was proving to be a tough nut to break for them, but a peach of a delivery from Mohammad Nawaz got rid of him which took them close to the two points. Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf closed the game for them by picking up the remaining wickets.

Netherlands didn't get off to the start that they were looking for as they lost Max O'Dowd quite early. Vikramjit Singh and Colin Ackermann steadied the ship for a bit but the latter couldn't stick around for long. However, after Bas de Leede came in, he looked in great touch and along with Singh stitched up a really good partnership of 70 runs, and in the process, both registered their half-centuries as well. This put Netherlands back in the game, but Singh got out right after his half-century which started a mini collapse for them as they went from 120 for 3 to 158 for 6. Their only hope, de Leede tried to fight a lone battle at the other end but without much support, he too perished soon after. The tail hung around for a bit with Logan van Beek hitting a few lusty blows in the end, but ultimately they fell short by 81 runs.

Pakistan start their World Cup campaign with an excellent win! However, it was not at all an easy one as Netherlands really gave a good account of themselves with both bat and ball, but in the end the quality that the Men in Green possessed proved to be a bit too much for them.

OUT! TIMBER! Haris Rauf finishes it off for Pakistan! Lands it on a good length, angling in, on middle and leg, Paul van Meekeren hangs on the back foot to defend. His feet go nowhere and the ball tails back into him. The ball goes through the gap between bat and pad and crashes into the middle and leg stumps. Haris Rauf is pumped to see the back of Paul van Meekeren and lets the latter know with a roar. Pakistan win by 81 runs!

A slower one, back of a length and outside off, Logan van Beek punches it towards sweeper covers for a run.

Swing and a miss! Haris Rauf serves this full and around off, Logan van Beek goes for the big drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.

On a length and around leg, Paul van Meekeren flicks it towards deep square leg for a single.

Haris Rauf nails the yorker now, on middle, Paul van Meekeren digs it out towards shrot mid-wicket.

Fuller one but down the leg side, Paul van Meekeren misses his glance. Wided.

Haris Rauf bangs in a bouncer, on middle, Paul van Meekeren sways away from it.

FOUR! Logan van Beek isn't going to go down without a fight! In the slot by Hasan Ali, around off, Logan van Beek waits deep in his crease and drills it over the non-striker for a boundary.