Pakistan started their campaign with a 16-run over Netherlands in the first match of the three-match series at Hazelaarwag in Rotterdam.
The high-scoring game saw impressive performances from both teams, but ultimately it was the visitors who stayed strong and won the series opener to take a 1-0 lead with two games remaining.
Pakistan’s batters fulfilled their task well by setting a target of 315 for the Netherlands. On the other side, Pakistani bowlers made every attempt to stop the tourists as soon as they could, and they succeeded in holding them off by defeating them by 16 runs.
PAK Vs NED 1st ODI Match Highlights:
Batting first, Pakistan faced a dreary start when they lost their first wicket quite early. However, the partnership between Fakhar Zaman and the skipper Babar Azam rescued the visitors as they both added 168 for the second wicket to build a strong platform to set up a strong total in front of the hosts.
Babar Azam walked back to the pavilion after playing a superb knock of 74. While Zaman returned after completing his well-deserved century (109).
Later on Shadab Khan and Agha Salman took the charge of the innings and played destroying knocks to help Pakistan reach 314 for 6 in 50 overs.
Both remained not out with Shadab scored 48 off 28 and Salman 17 off 16.
In reply, Netherlands lost their first 3 wickets for 62, which give a little headache to them, but a fine 97-run partnership between Vikramjit Singh and Tom Cooper bring the hosts back in the game.
However, both then soon returned the pavilion after scoring matching 65.
Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards tried his best and give all by playing an unbeaten knock of 71 off 60, but it wasn’t enough to hand Netherlands a victory as they fell 16 runs short.
For Pakistan, both Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah grabbed 3 wickets each.
The second match of the series will take place at the same venue on Thursday.
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