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Former World Cup winners Pakistan survived an all-mighty scare from Holland, but still got their campaign off to a winning start, winning by 81 runs.

Scott Edwards’s side, who won the toss opted to put in the 1992 World Champions. The decision seemed justified as the side from the Subcontinent were 38-3.

One of those three wickets, included star man and captain Babar Azam, getting out with a shot that showed even he can struggle on certain pitches.

The departure of Pakistan’s captain saw Mohammed Rizwan (68) and Saud Shakeel (68) combine to put on 120 for the fourth wicket.

It would be Shakeel who would be out first, getting caught in two minds of whether to slog sweep or not against Aryan Dutt.
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Spinner Dutt (1-48 from 10 overs) was the pick of Netherlands’ eight bowlers, economy-wise. Bas De Leede did support Dutt with four wickets of his own.

After the fourth wicket partnership was broken, Pakistan again lost a clump of wickets.

A 64-run seven-wicket partnership between all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammed Nawaz, helped the 1992 champions get to 286 all out.

Having not batted their full allocated 50 0vers, there were some murmurs of a shock on the cards. To Holland’s credit, they recovered well too.

They lost two wickets when the scoreboard got to 50, but Vikram Singh (52) and Bas De Leede (62) combined to put on 70 for the third wicket.
When Singh skied his shot straight to Iftikhar, the wheels of this brave Holland rally, were starting to come off.

Logan Van Beek hit an impressive run-a-ball 28, but this was too little too late for the men in Orange. Nest up for Holland will be New Zealand.

As for Pakistan, they will be up against 1996 World Champions and recent bogey side Sri Lanka. These matches will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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