Top order Pakistani batters fell inside 10 overs
Islamabad
Pakistan began their campaign at the World Cup 2023 with a bang as they claimed a 82-run victory over Netherlands at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, India on Friday.
Pakistan were completely back in the game as the bowlers put on a stranglehold on the Dutch, claiming back-to-back wickets.
Quick dismissals by the Green Shirts left the batters stumbling after a steady start.
Going deeper in the game, the Men in Green snapped a 50-run partnership between Bas de Leede and opener Vikramjit Singh, who played steadily since the start of his side’s run chase, before being bowled and caught for 52 off 67 balls.
Pakistan bowlers took charge, sending opener Max O’Dowd and Colin Ackermann to dugout.
Babar Azam’s dream to post a 300-run total was shattered as the opponents restricted Pakistan to 286 by taking quick wickets.
The national side’s batting line-up continued to falter as the Dutch bowlers dominated the innings despite Pakistan’s all out efforts to post a maximum target.
Haris Rauf smacked two boundaries and one sixer in his short stay before being stumped.
Earlier, back-to-back dismissals of Hassan Ali and Shadab Khan, who tried to keep up the momentum for the Men in Green after the fall of sixth wicket, put the side in a precarious position.
