Cricket World Cup: Pakistan beat valiant Netherlands as Bas de Leede stars in defeat for Dutch
Pakistan started their hunt for a first 50-over World Cup title since 1992 with an 81-run win over the Netherlands in Hyderabad.
Babar Azam’s men had to work hard for their win by the side seen as outsiders heading into the tournament, while Dutch all-rounder Bas de Leede impressed with bat and ball.
De Leede had bagged five wickets and scored 123 against Scotland in the qualifying tournament to secure the Netherlands’ place at this World Cup – their first since 2011 – and he claimed a four-wicket haul, hitting 67 against Pakistan before his team was eliminated.
Netherlands were dismissed for 205 chasing 287 and slumped from 120-2 in the 24th over after leg spinner Shadab Khan removed Vikram Singh (52) and fast bowler Haris Rauf (3-43) struck twice in an over, with De Leede seventh man hit. out, bowled by Mohammad Nawaz.
De Leede twice took two wickets in an over when Pakistan were all out for 286, bowling Mohammad Rizwan (68) with a beauty and Iftikhar Ahmed (9) caught behind in the 32nd before getting a hat-trick when he got cast. Shadab (32) and Hasan Ali (0) caught lbw in the 44th.
Pakistan play Sri Lanka in their second match on Tuesday, with the Netherlands aiming to cause an upset a day earlier against a New Zealand side who defeated England by nine wickets in the tournament opener in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
De Leede followed his four-wicket haul by scoring 67 off 68 balls for the Netherlands
Pakistan were on the back foot at 38-3 in the 10th over after being inserted, with skipper Babar (5) and openers Fakhar Zaman (12) and Imam-ul-Haq (15) all dismissed, only for Rizwan and Saud Shakeel (68) to put on 120 for the fourth wicket in 114 deliveries.
That tie was ended when Shakeel was tamed on the sweep, while Pakistan were 188-6 three overs later when De Leede nipped a delightful delivery between Rizwan’s bat and pad and then stripped Iftikhar.
Shadab and Mohammad Nawaz (39) took Pakistan past 250 with a half-century stand before losing their last four wickets for 34 runs.
De Leede and Singh shared a 70-run partnership off 76 balls in the chase, which gave Pakistan some jitters, but Babar’s side eventually got through comfortably – Rauf cleared Paul van Meekeren (7) to register victory in the 41st over .
What’s next?
Saturday, October 7, 5:30 am
Saturday, October 7, 9:00 am
Saturday is a doubles day at the World Cup with Bangladesh vs Afghanistan from 6am on Sky Sports Mix, before that South Africa takes on Sri Lanka from 9.30am on Sky Sports Cricket.