Pakistan got their World Cup 2023 campaign off to a great start as they beat the Netherlands by 81 runs on Friday, October 06 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. After being put in to bat first, Pakistan were bundled out for 286 in 49 overs with Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan top-scoring with their 68-run knocks.
In reply, the Netherlands were bundled out for 205 in 41 overs with Bas de Leede top-scoring with his innings of 67 (68). Apart from the riveting cricketing action, a heated moment was also witnessed during the game as Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf and Dutch tailender Paul van Meekeren got involved in a verbal dual.
The incident took place in the 39th over of the second innings as Rauf bowled a bouncer to Van Meekeren. After the delivery, Rauf walked towards the batter and said a few words. Van Meekeren replied, and two balls later, he struck Rauf for a four and exchanged a few more words with the fast bowler.
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However, it was Haris Rauf who had the last laugh as he dismantled Van Meekeren’s stumps in the very next over and gave him an aggressive send-off. Van Meekeren was the last wicket to fall for the Netherlands as they got all out for 205. Rauf finished as the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with figures of 3/43 in nine overs while Hasan Ali (2/33, 7 overs) also picked up two wickets.
Here are the videos of the incident:
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Netherlands’ Bas de Leede starred with both bat and ball for his side as he picked 4/62 in nine overs with the ball and scored 67 (68) with the bat. He became just the third player to score a fifty and pick a four-fer on his World Cup debut after former Zimbabwe cricketers Duncan Fletcher and Neil Johnson.
Saud Shakeel was awarded Player of the Match for his knock of 68 (52) in the first innings. Pakistan were the favorites coming into this match, and they lived up to their billing. They batted well in the first innings, and their bowlers were too good for the Netherlands in the second innings.
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Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, and his aggressive send-off to Paul van Meekeren was one of the highlights of the match. The Netherlands will be disappointed with the result, but they can take some positives from the match. Bas de Leede had a good game with both bat and ball, and he will be one to watch in the tournament ahead.
