HYDERABAD: A combined bowling effort after Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel’s anchoring half-centuries propelled Pakistan to launch a triumphant ICC World Cup 2023 campaign with an 81-run victory over the Netherlands. Put into bat first, Pakistan could register a below-par total of 286 runs on the board despite anchoring half-centuries.

Pakistan got off to a dismal start as they lost their top three Fakhar Zaman (12), Imam-ul-Haq (15) and Babar Azam (5) with just 38 runs on the board in 9.1 overs. Following the slump, wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan was joined by young Saud Shakeel at the crease and the pair launched an astounding recovery.

Rizwan and Saud batted with determination and put Pakistan back in command with a 120-run partnership for the fourth wicket, with both scoring half-centuries. Aryan Dutt drew a much-needed breakthrough for the Netherlands in the 29th over by dismissing Shakeel, who scored a brisk 68 in 52 deliveries, laced with nine boundaries and a six. Mohammad Rizwan followed him back to the dugout in the 32nd over. He remained the joint top-scorer for Pakistan with 75-ball 68, hitting eight boundaries.

Pakistan then coped another blow in the same over when Bas de Leede got Iftikhar Ahmed (9) caught behind and consequently slipped to 188/6.

All-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz then put together a crucial partnership for the seventh wicket and added 64 runs to the total. The pair had Pakistan in command to bat through the allotted overs but Bas de Leede struck again to get rid of Shadab in the 44th over which opened the floodgates. He scored 32 off 34 deliveries with the help of two boundaries. Pakistan then lost two more wickets in quick succession including their mainstay Mohammad Nawaz walking back after scoring a 43-ball 39. Tailenders Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi added valuable runs to the total with their 19-run partnership before Ackermann got the latter stumped to book Pakistan on a below-par total in their ICC World Cup 2023 campaign opener.

Bas de Leede led the bowling attack for the Netherlands with 4/62, followed by Ackermann’s 2/39 while Dutt, Logan van Beek and Paul van Meekeren made one scalp each.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 07 2023

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