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ODI world cup 2023 Cricket

'Finally sukoon ki saans lenge ab wo' - Fans react as Pakistan beat Netherlands by 81 runs to kick-start their 2023 World Cup campaign on a high

The Dutch bowlers did well with the ball to restrict Pakistan to 286, and their batters provided several scary moments throughout the chase. 

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Mathew K
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PAK vs NED

PAK vs NED 2023 ODI World Cup

Pakistan opened their 2023 ODI World Cup campaign on a positive note by defeating the Netherlands by 81 runs on Friday, October 6 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. The Netherlands fought hard but it was not enough to beat the former champions. The Dutch bowlers did well with the ball to restrict Pakistan to 286, and their batters provided several scary moments throughout the chase. 

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After being put into bat first, Pakistan got off to a disastrous start thanks to some excellent powerplay by the Netherlands bowlers. Logan van Beek drew first blood by dismissing an out-of-form Fakhar Zaman in the fourth over. Pakistan went into deep trouble as Paul van Meekeren and Colin Ackermann removed Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq in the 9th and 10th over, respectively. 

The Men in Green were reeling at 38-3 in 9.1 overs, but Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan built a century partnership to put Pakistan on track. Both rebuilt Pakistan's innings, but Bas de Leede, who had troubled the duo in his first spell, returned and wreaked havoc. However, it was Aryan Dutt who broke the dangerous 120 partnership in the 29th over by getting rid of Shakeel. 

De Leede was brought back in the attack in the 31st over and he picked the wicket of Rizwan with a beautiful delivery. Two balls later, he dismissed power-hitter Iftikhar Ahmed, leaving Pakistan in trouble. Later, spin-bowling all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz tried to help their team reach a respectable total with a 64-run stand. 

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The duo looked set to take the team's total to over 300. However, De Leede dashed their hopes by grabbing two successive wickets, sending Shadab and pacer Hasan Ali back into the pavilion. The 23-year-old registered the fourth-best figures for the Netherlands in the World Cup history. Interestingly, his performance reminded his father Tim de Leeds’s match-winning performance against India in the 2003 ODI World Cup. Tim's bowling figures of 4/35 in 9.5 overs is the best bowling return for the Netherlands in the 50-over World Cup.

Vikramjit Singh - Bas de Leede partnership gave Pakistan a scare

Chasing 287, the Netherlands got off to a strong start with Vikramjit Singh dispatching the loose balls. However, they suffered an early setback with the dismissal of Max ODowd and Colin Ackermann. The Netherlands were reeling at 50-2 in 11.1 overs but a brilliant partnership from Vikramjit and Bas de Leede lifted them up. 

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The Dutch opener went back after scoring a fine half-century but Leede carried on strong at one end. Unfortunately, he did not get enough support from the other end. Haris Rauf struck twice in the 27th over by dismissing Teja Nidamanuru and captain Scott Edwards. De Leede eventually fell after making a brilliant 67. Logan van Beek played a handy knock but that wasn't enough for them to cross the finish line. 

Here's how fans reacted: