Pakistan Aims for Another Win in Hyderabad to Continue World Cup Momentum

Pakistan kicked off their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign on a high note, securing a commanding 81-run victory against the Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The win was fueled by exceptional performances from key players, setting the stage for Pakistan’s upcoming clash against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad.

Initially, Pakistan faced adversity at 38-3 after being put in to bat, but the partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and World Cup debutant Saud Shakeel, worth 120 runs off 114 balls, rejuvenated the innings. Rizwan contributed a steady 68 runs from 75 balls, marking his seventh half-century of the year. However, it was Saud Shakeel who stole the spotlight, playing only his seventh ODI and scoring a dynamic 68 from just 52 balls, featuring nine fours and a six. Additional valuable contributions came from Mohammad Nawaz (39 off 43) and Shadab Khan (32 off 34).

Pakistan’s batting resurgence was complemented by their bowlers’ determined efforts. Haris Rauf’s pivotal two wickets in three balls disrupted the Netherlands’ momentum, and Hasan Ali, returning to ODI cricket after over 15 months, made a notable impact with two wickets. Shaheen Afridi, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nawaz, and Shadab each chipped in with one wicket, collectively ensuring the Netherlands were dismissed for 205 runs in 41 overs.

In pursuit of maintaining their impressive net run rate, Pakistan managed to limit the Netherlands’ score effectively. Despite half-centuries from Vikramjit Singh and Bas de Leede, who added 70 runs for the third wicket, Pakistan maintained control of the contest. Nawaz’s crucial wicket of de Leede in the 34th over curtailed the Netherlands’ progress.

Pakistan now looks forward to their next match against Sri Lanka, which will be their final appearance in Hyderabad during this tournament. Speaking about the upcoming contest, Mohammad Nawaz emphasized the importance of starting a major tournament on a positive note. He highlighted that while practice matches were valuable, the key to success lies in executing skills flawlessly on the day of the match. Pakistan aims to capitalize on the momentum gained from their victory over the Netherlands to finish the Hyderabad leg of the tournament with another win.

Reflecting on the remarkable partnerships that contributed to Pakistan’s competitive total against the Netherlands, Nawaz praised the outstanding collaboration between Rizwan and Saud Shakeel. Their partnership, initiated under challenging circumstances, provided a solid foundation for Pakistan’s innings. Nawaz also outlined their strategy to build partnerships till the 45th or 46th over and then finish on an attacking note.

Nawaz’s own contribution, both with the bat and the ball, played a significant role in Pakistan’s triumph. He described his crucial wicket-taking delivery against de Leede as a dream ball for a left-arm orthodox spinner, highlighting its drift and turn.

Looking ahead, Nawaz acknowledged the batting-friendly conditions in India but anticipates pitches offering more assistance to spinners as the tournament progresses. He emphasized the importance of adapting to varying conditions and expressed his desire to build on the confidence gained from his performance in the previous match to meet the team’s requirements effectively.

While Pakistan has a historical record of defeating Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup since 1975, recent encounters have seen Sri Lanka outperform Pakistan. Nawaz,  however,  believes that past results should not influence their approach to the upcoming match. He emphasized a “new game, new day” mindset and a positive outlook for the contest against Sri Lanka, aiming to continue Pakistan’s winning streak in the tournament.

As Pakistan prepares to face Sri Lanka, they remain focused on maintaining their World Cup momentum, aiming for another victory in Hyderabad to solidify their position in the tournament.