ODI World Cup 2023 Twitter Reactions

'Bach gaye aaj'- Fans react as Pakistan beat Netherlands by 81 runs in World Cup 2023

Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel scored fifties and stepped up under pressure when their side required them to perform. They stitched a partnership of 120 runs.

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Sarah Andrew
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Pakistan beat Netherlands by 81 runs

Pakistan beat the Netherlands by 81 runs.

Pakistan beat the Netherlands by 81 runs in the first game of their World Cup campaign. The Netherlands gave a good fight against one of the favourites to win the World Cup 2023. Batting first the Babar Azam-led side did not get the start they were looking for as they lost both openers Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman, along with their Babar Azam were dismissed cheaply and they were led to 38-3 inside the first powerplay. 

The Men in Green side posted a total of 286 with their wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel scoring fifties and stepping up under pressure when their side required them to perform. The middle was the question for Babar's side and that the batters have performed. Against the Men in Orange Pakistan has not lost a single match in the World Cup or the ODI matches. They have faced each other 6 times and Pakistan has won each time. 

After the Rizwan and Shakeel duo departed, the lower order with the likes of Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf added some valuable runs, and the total to 286. Pakistan's team might have won the game. But they need to solve the problems for the top order as soon as possible with the bigger matches coming ahead. 

Pakistan edges out Netherlands

Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards won the toss and elected to field first. Their decision rightly paid off as they sent the top 3 batters of Pakistan within the first powerplay. But with Rizwan and Shaud Shakeel stitched a partnership of 120 runs and made sure the team went past 200 runs. But as soon both the batters departed they looked fragile and lower order batters Mohammad Nawaz, and Shadab Khan contributed towards the end of the innings and scored 286 runs.

In response Netherlands did not get off to a good start but opening batter Vikramjit Singh and Bas de Leede scored fifties for their side. With the former scored 52 runs off 67 balls and Leede scored 67 runs off 68 deliveries. After both the batters were back in the pavilion no other batters could score runs and they were bowled out for just 205 runs.  

Here's how fans reacted:

Pakistan 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup