In the ICC T20 World Cup’s opening match, the Netherlands were bundled out for 147 runs in 19.5 overs against Pakistan at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground on Saturday, setting a 148-run target for the Green Shirts.
Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, expertly stemmed the Dutch batting lineup, pulling things back after a solid start.
Earlier, Michael Loot and Max Oudwoud provided the Netherlands with a 28-run opening partnership. Oudwoud was the first to fall for 5 runs, dismissed by Salman Mirza, while Loot contributed 24 before being sent back by Mohammad Nawaz.
The Dutch side reached 93 for 3 at one stage but were unable to accelerate further, allowing Pakistan to dominate the remainder of the innings.
Anticipation had reached fever pitch as the ICC T20 World Cup launched, promising high-octane cricket and intense competition. With star-studded squads, meticulously planned strategies, and unpredictable weather conditions, the opening matches captivated fans worldwide.
In the tournament’s inaugural clash, Pakistan and the Netherlands locked horns in Colombo. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, upon winning the toss, elected to field first, aiming to leverage early conditions and execute the team’s game plan. Reflecting on the pitch, Salman Ali Agha remarked, “This is my first encounter with such a surface in Sri Lanka. We have three pacers in the squad, and we intend to implement our strategy with precision.”
Pakistan’s playing XI featured Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam, and Usman Khan, complemented by Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed.
The Netherlands playing XI included Michael Levitt, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (c, wk), Zach Lion Cachet, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, and Paul van Meekeren.
The ICC T20 World Cup comprises 20 teams, divided into four competitive groups. The opening day alone witnessed three high-stakes encounters.
The Pakistani squad undertook rigorous practice sessions ahead of the match, and with rainfall forecasted during the game, the toss assumed heightened significance, potentially influencing the match’s outcome.
Elsewhere on the opening day, West Indies confronted Scotland, while India faced the United States, ensuring a thrilling start to the global tournament.
