Pakistan crushed the Netherlands by seven wickets to establish an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series thanks to an all-around effort that made sure the tense conclusion of the first ODI wouldn’t happen again and sailed the team to an easy victory of 7 wickets.
Netherlands’ innings was hindered by getting wickets from every frontline Pakistani bowler, who skittled them out for 186 in 44.1 overs. Only one guy, and two pairs, were able to break out of the single digits, with the exception of a 109-run partnership between Bas de Leede and Tom Cooper.
The loss of the openers early in the game gave Pakistan a slight fright, but half-centuries from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan got them back on track. Agha Salman’s quick cameo added the final touches, and Pakistan won with 16.2 overs remaining.
After choosing to bat first on a used pitch and winning the toss, the Netherlands immediately came under heavy strain. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah came out of the gate strong, reducing the home team to 8 for 3 in just four overs, showing none of the erratic, careless bowling performance from the previous game.
De Leede was far more cautious; he didn’t hit a boundary until the 51st ball when he challenged Mohammad Nawaz and cleared the rope. But with the run rate increasing and the partnership approaching 100, the Netherlands seemed to be headed back toward the total they may have initially hoped for.
Soon, captain Scott Edwards was out for five, the first time in his five ODI innings that he failed to reach fifty, and Pakistan’s bowlers were back in control as de Leede helplessly watched as the visitors advanced through the other end as they piled up the hosts for just 186.
The pressure could have increased with a total like the one the Netherlands scored in the first ODI, but with just 187 to chase, the seasoned Babar and Rizwan had little cause for concern. The initial fire was slowly put out, and Pakistan soon started to regain complete control.
Babar rolled to yet another half-century, his seventh 50-plus score in nine innings, but Rizwan struggled to get going early, maybe lacking confidence in this format. His error sent de Leede to midwicket, bringing Salman to the crease. Pakistan’s most satisfying play probably followed.
Rizwan was only in his second ODI and he seemed to have realised the importance of this chance and tried to strike right away. Salman scored ten runs off the first three balls of the 34th over, needing just 12 runs to win. He smacked Kingma over long-on for a massive six to bring it, and Pakistan’s series victory, up in style. He needed a six to reach his half-century.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Mohammad Nawaz
