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This wasn’t Pakistan’s best match, but they just followed the script and did what they needed to do to win the match. The middle order showed up today, and as usual, the bowling was their strongest part.
van Meekeren toying with Rauf, who just didn’t seem to be in the mood.
The final wicket went to Rauf as he cleaned up van Meekeren with a bail trimmer, securing Pakistan an imperfect, if decisive, win. It was a good comeback and something for the media to talk about responding to Van Meerken.
Van Beek could only stand and deliver, and he tried that for a while, particularly during a last-wicket stand with van Meekeren. It ensured the Netherlands moved past 200, and the defeat was cut down to a two-digit margin.
De Leede adhered to his aggressive style, which made him a captivating presence on the field. He displayed his prowess by smashing Rauf for a six right after facing a challenging bouncer, and he also celebrated his well-deserved half-century. Unfortunately, he received limited support from his batting partners, and a troublesome hamstring issue hindered Logan van Beek’s performance.
The Netherlands made an impressive start, even after the early departure of Max O’Dowd. Hasan Ali delivered a well-directed short ball that was expertly dispatched to deep fine leg to dismiss O’Dowd. However, Vikramjit Singh took the initiative and launched an offensive against the Pakistani bowlers during the powerplay, ensuring that his team capitalised on this crucial game phase. Ackermann joined him, but an ill-advised shot off Iftikhar led to a relatively early exit.
A spirited 64-run partnership emerged between Pakistan’s versatile spin-bowling allrounders, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan. This partnership steered them to calmer waters, enabling Pakistan to reach the 250-run mark and ensuring they had a competitive target to defend. However, the Netherlands, with a special mention to de Leede, continued to strike back by taking crucial wickets, preventing Pakistan from completing their allotted overs and ultimately dismissing them for 286 in 49 overs.
In the initial powerplay, the Netherlands’ spin attack posed a significant threat, causing trouble for Pakistan’s left-handed openers. Fakhar Zaman’s struggle continued, resulting in a straightforward dismissal as he lofted one back to Logan van Beek. The Dutch team received an even more substantial boost towards the end of the powerplay with two quick wickets. Babar Azam couldn’t control a long-hop from Colin Ackermann, offering a catch to short midwicket, and Paul van Meekeren’s bouncer proved too much for Imam-ul-Haq, who guided it into the waiting hands of the fielder at fine leg.
At just 23 years of age, the versatile allrounder often stood as a solitary fortress against Pakistan’s onslaught. However, the resilient efforts of Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan, both notching up fifties, propelled Pakistan to a total of 286. With a formidable bowling arsenal at their disposal, Pakistan held the upper hand, particularly with Haris Rauf’s exceptional performance during the middle overs, consistently keeping the match just beyond the Netherlands’ grasp.
Pakistan’s middle order stepped up to the plate when the top order faltered at 38 for 3. It was a partnership for the ages as Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan shouldered the team’s hopes. Saud Shakeel, a late addition to the World Cup squad, displayed a masterclass with a delightful innings that not only stabilized the ship but also wrestled the momentum back from the Netherlands. It was a sight to behold as runs and boundaries flowed freely. Saud, whose ability in shorter formats was once questioned, took charge and raced to a brilliant 32-ball half-century without seeming to take any risks. His proficiency in handling deliveries from the fast bowlers elegantly dispatched down the ground, and his flawless footwork against the spinners showcased technical brilliance. Their partnership flourished, reaching the milestone of a 100-run partnership, which firmly placed Pakistan back in control. This exceptional performance by Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan demonstrates the depth and resilience of Pakistan’s batting lineup, proving that they can weather the storm and rise to the occasion when it truly matters.
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