In a thrilling encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, Pak achieved a significant milestone by defeating the Netherlands in a World Cup match on Indian soil for the first time. Captain Babar Azam led Pakistan to a historic moment, securing an impressive 81-run victory over the Netherlands.

Pakistan’s Triumph in Indian Soil

Pak has a storied history in World Cup cricket, but their previous encounters on Indian turf have not yielded favorable results. However, on this memorable day, Babar Azam’s team rewrote history by securing a well-deserved victory. This triumph showcased the resilience and determination of the Pakistani squad.

Previous Encounters on Indian Soil

Before this landmark victory, Pakistan had played two World Cup matches on Indian soil, both of which had ended in defeats. In the 2011 World Cup semi-finals in Mohali, Pakistan faced a formidable Indian team, and despite a valiant effort, they suffered a loss. The legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s brilliant innings of 85 runs remain etched in memory from that match. In 1996, Team India emerged victorious against Pakistan at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, thanks in large part to the exceptional bowling performance of Venkatesh Prasad.

The Match Highlights

In a closely contested match, both Pakistan and the Netherlands lost all ten of their wickets. Netherlands captain Scott Edwards won the toss and opted to bowl first, putting Pakistan on the batting side.

Pakistan’s Innings

Pak innings saw several standout performances. Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel played crucial roles by scoring half-centuries and amassing 68 runs each. Their partnership laid a strong foundation for Pakistan’s total. Additional contributions came from Mohammad Nawaz, who added 39 runs, and Shadab Khan, who contributed 32 runs. Despite facing some challenges, Haris Rauf managed to score 16 runs, Imam Ul Haq added 15 runs, Shaheen Afridi finished with 13 not out, and Fakhar Zaman contributed 12 runs. However, Iftikhar Ahmed could only score nine runs, while Captain Babar Azam had a modest contribution of five runs. Hasan Ali faced a challenging day, failing to open his account with the bat.

Netherlands’ Response

In reply, the Netherlands team struggled to match Pak’s total. They were eventually bowled out for 205 runs in 41 overs, falling short by 81 runs. Bas de Leede was the standout performer for the Netherlands, scoring the highest with 67 runs. He displayed remarkable skill, hitting six fours and two sixes in his 68-ball innings. Opener Vikramjit Singh contributed 52 runs from 67 balls, while Logan Van Beek remained unbeaten with 28 runs off 28 balls. Colin Ackerman managed 17 runs, and Saqib Zulfikar added 10 runs to the total.

Pakistan’s Bowling Excellence

Pak’s bowling attack played a crucial role in defending their total. Haris Rauf led the charge, taking a maximum of three wickets for Pakistan. Hasan Ali contributed with two important wickets, while Shaheen Afridi, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz each claimed one wicket.

Ned Bowling Efforts

For the Netherlands, Bas de Leede’s all-round performance stood out. He had earlier taken four wickets during Pak’s innings, making a significant impact with both bat and ball. Colin Ackerman also played a crucial role, securing two wickets. Aryan Dutt, Logan Van Beek, and Paul Van Meekeren took one wicket each.

A Historic Win for Pakistan

This victory marked Pak’s seventh consecutive win against the Netherlands in the ODI format, highlighting their dominance in previous encounters. Furthermore, in World Cup history, every Pakistani team that has faced the Netherlands has emerged victorious.

What Lies Ahead

Looking ahead, the Netherlands will face New Zealand on the same ground on October 9, seeking to bounce back from this defeat. Meanwhile, Pak is set to clash with Sri Lanka the following day, further adding to the excitement of the ODI World Cup.

In conclusion, Pak’s historic win over the Netherlands on Indian soil is a testament to their determination and skill. Captain Babar Azam and his team have etched their names in cricketing history with this remarkable victory, setting the stage for an exciting ODI World Cup ahead. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await more thrilling encounters as the tournament unfolds.