(Image Source: PCB Instagram)
[Saba Sports News] In the second match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Pakistan and the Netherlands faced off. The Netherlands captain won the toss and chose to field first. Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, struggled and was bowled out for 286. Bas de Leede was the standout bowler for the Netherlands, finishing with figures of 4/62 in nine overs.
During Pakistan’s innings, a peculiar incident occurred in the 47th over. Shaheen Afridi attempted a reverse sweep off Colin Ackerman’s delivery, but the ball hit his pad and went towards short fine leg.
Mohammad Nawaz, anticipating a quick single, left his crease but was sent back by Afridi. Ackerman failed to gather the ball at the non-striker’s end, leading to an overthrow opportunity. The Dutch spinner quickly retrieved the ball and threw it directly into the stumps at the striker’s end, resulting in Nawaz being run out. Pakistan lost their ninth wicket at 267.
Pakistan faced a difficult start to their innings, slumping to 38/3 after 9.1 overs, with Fakhar Zaman (12 off 15), Imam ul Haq (15 off 19), and Babar Azam (5 off 18) departing early.
However, Mohammad Rizwan (68 off 75) and Saud Shakeel (68 off 52) stabilized the innings with a 120-run partnership off 114 balls. Mohammad Nawaz (39 off 43) and Shadab Khan (32 off 34) also made valuable contributions. Late cameos from Shaheen Afridi (13* off 12) and Haris Rauf (16 off 14) helped Pakistan reach a total of 286 all out in 49 overs. Bas de Leede (4/62, 9 overs) and Colin Ackerman (2/39, 8 overs) were the leading wicket-takers for the Netherlands.