Match 1: Pakistan vs Netherlands
It feels like Pakistan will encounter these unfavorable conditions in every match. Where are the fair pitches and speedy outfields?
Another day another mess at the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad!
Here is the team list:
No Usama Mir in the playing 11 is a surprise. Let’s be honest, this is totally unfair to Usama. We saw how well he bowled in the warm-up games.
The Netherlands won the toss and opted to field first.
It is Friday and the match start time coincides with congregation assembly time.
Fakhar Zaman
What is happening?! If Fakhar Zaman doesn’t perform against the Netherlands, which team will he play against? Goes on 12.
Some say Fakhar’s current failure doesn’t necessarily warrant dropping him. He is likely to find his form by the end of this World Cup. But for how long? Why do we continue to play Fakhar when he consistently fails to perform?
Always, at the start of the tournament, Pakistan is met with a weaker team. PCT looks like an associate nation in front of the Netherlands.
Babar Azam
Do you think Babar Azam will maintain a strike rate of over 100 today? I believe he won’t. No, he gets out in frustration.
Ground me jawab denge
Babar Azam
Muhammad Rizwan
Getting chances against edges. Can he be our savior today? Muhammad Rizwan is pronounced as the last hope for Pakistan.
For over 15 minutes, there hasn’t been a scorecard graphic displayed. Instead, the score is manually shown on a scoreboard placed on top of tires. This isn’t the level of presentation one would anticipate from broadcasters of an event as significant as the Cricket World Cup.
Poor start by the Men in Green in their World Cup opener
Pakistan cricket at its best: one minute up, the next minute down, then underground, followed by the grave, hitting rock bottom, and finally reaching the earth’s inner core. There have been 42 dot balls in the Powerplay. The Dutch have taken 11 wickets in their last 5 power plays.
Pakistan’s top order has dominated the broadcast.
Saud Shakeel
Seems in good nick. Preferred over Salman Ali Agha. Seven test matches he has played and in each of the seven tests he scored fifty every time he came to bat. Need that temprament.
Pakistan cricket is insane. This is Saud Shakeel’s first World Cup game, and they’re like, ‘Yeah bro, now it’s 43-3. Let’s see what you’re capable of.
It has been 20 overs now, and viewers cannot see the graphics (score, etc.) of a World Cup Match.
I am pleased with Saud Shakeel’s performance and hope to see Abdullah Shafique included in future matches as an opener.
Saud and Rizwan’s 100+ partnership and their 50s have indeed salvaged the innings after a tough start at 37/3. It must be a relief for you as a Pakistan fan.
Shadab and Nawaz’s contributions are indeed valuable. Let’s hope for a strong performance from Shaheen in the upcoming innings. The excitement is palpable!
Let’s hope Shaheen delivers with early wickets and sets a positive tone for the match. Fingers crossed for a strong performance!
Highly, highly impressed by the captaincy of the Netherlands Captain. The way he has used his bowlers today is just wow. He exactly knows the capability of each one of them.
PAK batted well below par. They should have scored between 330-350. The tight bowling performance saved us today. Well played, Netherlands.
RESULT
PAKISTAN wins the match against Netherlands. Netherlands 205- ALL OUT! Pakistan won the match with 81 runs. Congratulations to all PCT Fans.
Saud Shakil becomes man of the match.
Very pleased. Tried to follow my basics and be positive to score for my team. Nerves was there as we’d lost three wickets. I was lucky to get early boundaries. We discussed that the pressure would transfer if we scored, which did happen. The last 2-3 months, I’ve been working hard. I knew I’d be batting No. 5, I tried to improve my shots, attacking options and be brave. Coaching staff has given me confidence. Saud Shakeel, Player of the Match
He expresses a preference for either pace or spin, as long as it results in boundaries. With gratitude, he acknowledges his coach as he departs.
MATCH SUMMARY
In the match, Pakistan emerged victorious with a convincing 81-run lead. The middle-order showcased resilience, forming a strong partnership. Impressively, the batting depth extended down to the ninth position. Haris Rauf’s performance with the ball was outstanding, making a significant impact. Additionally, glimpses of good form were evident in Shadab and Nawaz’s deliveries.However, there were some drawbacks. The top-order faced consistent struggles in their batting performance. Moreover, Shaheen had difficulties in securing early wickets with the new ball, posing a challenge for the team.