The Netherlands started their World Cup campaign on a positive note restricting the number two-ranked team in ODIs, Pakistan to just 286 runs. Here is a recap of the first innings.
Netherlands bowlers rattle Pakistani top-order
Scott Edwards, the skipper of the Netherlands, chose to field first after winning the toss. The fast bowlers from the Netherlands asked a lot of questions of Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, and captain Babar Azam in the Pakistani top order. Aryan Dutt, a right-arm off-spinner, started the bowling with one new ball while Logan van Beek grabbed the other from the opposite end. In the fourth over, van Beek claimed the first wicket by outstriking Fakhar. As a result of being misled by the delivery, Fakhar drove too soon and chipped a return catch to the bowler. Babar Azam, the top ODI hitter, was then taken out by Colin Ackerman. Babar was out on the 18th ball he faced after only managing five runs in 17 balls. In the penultimate over of the powerplay, Paul van Meekeren took the third wicket, removing Imam-ul-Haq, the opener.
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Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel steady Pakistani batting order
With the score at 38-3, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel met at the crease. Shakeel attacked the Dutch bowlers with an aggressive strategy. Shakeel had Rizwan in his place. Before Shakeel was removed by Aryan Dutt, the two batsmen shared a 120-run stand. In just 52 balls, Shakeel scored 68 runs while hitting nine fours and one six.
With just 30 runs scored, Pakistan lost three wickets after Shakeel’s dismissal, causing another collapse. Bas de Leede bowled Rizwan after he had amassed 68 runs in 75 balls. De Leede put a stop to Iftikhar Ahmed’s brief presence at the crease.
After sharing a crucial 64-run stand for the seventh wicket, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz appeared to be the Pakistani team’s best hope for recovery. Bas de Leede re-entered the fray in the attack and eliminated Shadab. The very next delivery resulted in the dismissal of Hasan Ali, giving him his fourth wicket. In the 47th over, Mohammad Nawaz was then bowled out.
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