Pakistan see off the Dutch

Hyderabad – Pakistan opened their World Cup campaign with a comfortable 81-run win against the Netherlands yesterday, overcoming an impressive performance from Dutch all-rounder Bas de Leede.

The 1992 champions were bowled out for a fighting 286 in 49 overs with 68 each from Saud Shakeel (above) and Mohammad Rizwan, before dismissing their opponents for 205 in 41 overs.

“I am satisfied with the result,” said Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

“Credit to the bowlers, we started well and took wickets in the middle. We lost three wickets while batting but the way Rizwan and Shakeel started took it away.”

Pakistan faced tough resistance from De Leede who took 4/62 to thwart Pakistan’s pursuit of a big total after they were put in to bat on a flat Rajiv Gandhi Stadium pitch.

De Leede then anchored his team’s innings with a polished 68-ball 67 spiced with two sixes and six boundaries.

However, once he was cleanbowled by spinner Mohammad Nawaz in the 34th over, the Dutch, who were 120/2 at one stage, fell apart.

The Netherlands lost Max O’Dowd (five) and Colin Ackermann (17) before de Leede and opener Vikramjit Singh (52 off 67 balls) led the recovery with a 70run stand for the third wicket. Pacer Haris Rauf finished with 3/43.

Shakeel and Rizwan steadied the innings with a solid 120-run stand for the fourth wicket but three wickets fell in the space of 24 balls for 30 runs.

Pakistan were further lifted as Nawaz (39) and Shadab (32) added 64 for the seventh wicket but De Leede dismissed both Pakistani batsmen. –