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That brings us to the end of our ICC Men's Cricket World Cup coverage for the day. Both these sides will remain in Hyderabad for their upcoming matches - Netherlands meet New Zealand side high on spirits after a thumping win over England on Monday, and Pakistan take on sub-continental rivals Sri Lanka the following day. We've got a double-header lined up tomorrow - Bangladesh take on Afghanistan at Dharamshala in a day clash, and about 500 kilometers away, South Africa and Sri Lanka open their 2023 Men's World Cup campaign at the Arun Jaitley stadium at 2 in the afternoon. Join us right here on Sportskeeda for our detailed coverage of the same, and of course, a lot more! This is Rajarshi, signing off on behalf of Arya. See you tomorrow!
One that got away from the Netherlands indeed! Just a tinge of game-awareness and application was what their batters needed to build on the start. Pakistan were made to work hard in all departments today - the partnership between Rizwan and Saud Shakeel provided them with some much-needed stability early on. Pakistan then needed a finish that'd take them close to 300 - Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan - two men known to score those quick runs at the death, provided them with just that.
The absence of Naseem Shah did very little to hamper the Pakistan bowling attack - at least today - despite the productive phases for the Netherlands in the run-chase, the Pakistan players never looked flustered for a fleeting moment, and performed as a collective. Pakistan will heave a sigh of relief - despite leaking runs towards the end, an 81-run victory does inflate that Net Run Rate quite a bit!
As for the Netherlands, while they fall short in their first men's 50-over World Cup match in 12 years, they still have 8 more matches to prove their mettle at the big stage. The signs were on show today - they just need to work on the aspects that let them down.
Babar Azam, Pakistan captain: The way Hyderabad supported us, we are very happy. Pleased with the hospitality here. Pretty satisfied, all credit to bowlers, we started well, we took wickets in the middle overs and put pressure on them. We lost three wickets early, and the way Rizwan and Saud Shakeel began gave us a lot of momentum. The partnership shifted on the Netherlands. Saud has improved a lot in Test cricket, and in One Dayers as well. Our bowlers did very well in the first 10 overs. We stuck to our plans, Haris stuck to his lengths and picked up wickets.
Scott Edwards, Netherlands captain: It's a bit disappointing (the defeat) our guys bowled and fielded really well. To Pakistan's credit, they made a few runs at the end there. At 2 for 120, we felt like we were in the game. Nice to have so many options, so many of our batters bowl quality spin, and we have plenty of pace options. He's (Bas de Leede) is a quality cricketer, isn't he? He bowled exceptionally today, his innings was awesome too, needed someone to go with him. I haven't spoken with van Beek about whether he's okay yet, he was keen to get out there. We'll assess and see what's up. It is probably one that got away, I thought we were in a position to get away, but they took crucial wickets in the middle.
Saud Shakeel (Player of the Match): I am very happy with my performance. Just try to follow my basics and score runs for my team. I think nerves were there. I was fortunate enough that I got early boundaries. We were speaking that if we keep scoring the pressure will be back on the Netherlands bowlers. I think the last three months I have been working hard on my game. I know that where I would be batting and working on my attacking options. The amount of confidence the coaching stuff has given me is immense. Thanks to the crowd. I want to thank my coach and this is for him.
Match summary:
Pakistan win by 81 runs
Saud Shakeel 68(52) | Haris Rauf 3/43 (9) Bas de Leede 67(68) | Bas de Leede 4/62 (9)
The Netherlands put up a more than decent fight against a familiar opponent, but the loss of wickets at the wrong time set them back repeatedly in the run-chase. The sheer class of the Pakistan bowlers were always going to be a major factor, but the Netherlands batters did help themselves with some of the shots that they played. There were a handful dismissals which could have been avoided.
Vikramjit, having seen off a threatening spell from Shaheen initially, capitalized on anything with width on offer, and got the Netherlands off to a good start. His opening partner - Max O'Dowd - didn't look as comfortable out there, particularly against the rising length deliveries from Hasan Ali. The Pakistan pacer, making a comeback to the international side after a while, accounted for O'Dowd eventually by pulling his length back and rushing him with the short one.
Colin Ackermann then saw the rest of the powerplay off along with Vikramjit, who looked in great touch. But, in trying to sweep, he ended up playing all around a full delivery from Iftikhar Ahmed, and had his set of fibre disturbed. Bas de Leede, who had a memorable outing with the ball, joined Vikramjit in the middle with the bat post the departure of Ackermann, and the duo were fixated upon building a productive partnership.
While they were behind the required rate all along, the boundaries kept coming every now and then. It was de Leede who took the mantle of playing his shots, while Vikramjit looked to consolidate. The left-hander, too, added his fair share of boundaries every now and then, but in trying to pull a half-tracker off Shadab Khan, he holed out, and Netherlands were on the back foot ever since.
De Leede, though, kept the fight going as wickets fell around him. Haris Rauf, re-introduced in between, accounted for Teja Nidamanuru and Scott Edwards in quick succession by hitting the deck as hard as he possibly could. Saqib Zulfiqar put up a resistance, but once he and de Leede fell in back-to-back overs, the game was always going to be Pakistan's. Logan van Beek and Paul van Meekeren hung around for a while, smashing the ball a fair bit, before Haris Rauf completed the formalities by knocking van Meekeren's stumps over.
That's that! It took them a while, but Haris, after an intense contest with the Netherlands number 11, has his man eventually! In spite of being challenged by the Netherlands, Pakistan wrap things up in comprehensive fashion!
41
overs
205/10score
0
1wd
0
1
0
1
W
runs
Paul van Meekeren*
7(12)
Logan van Beek
28(28)
Haris Rauf
3/43
40.6 Haris Rauf to Paul van Meekeren, WICKET! That's game for Pakistan, Haris was having a go at Meekeren and vice versa and gives him a send off as Pakistan win by 81 runs. A quickish good-length delivery and the pace was too much for Van Meekeren. Angles back in,and clatters onto the top of the leg stump.
Paul van Meekeren b Haris Rauf 7 (12b, 1x4, 0x6)
40.5 Haris Rauf to Logan van Beek, slower length delivery outside off, punched away towards the sweeper cover fielder and takes a single.
Video
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B Azam
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Paul van Meekeren
*
Haris Rauf
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
