Netherlands Set Pakistan a Target of 148 Runs in ICC T20 World Cup Opener

Colombo — The Netherlands have set Pakistan a target of 148 runs in the opening match of the ICC T20 World Cup after being bowled out for 147.

Playing in Colombo, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to field first, inviting the Netherlands to bat.

Dutch openers Michael Leut and Max O’Dowd gave their team a solid start, adding 28 runs for the opening partnership. Max O’Dowd was the first to be dismissed, scoring 5 runs before falling to Salman Mirza. Michael Leut was the second wicket to fall, dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz after making 24 runs.

Colin Ackermann was the third batter out, scoring 20 runs, while Bas de Leede added 30 runs before becoming Mohammad Nawaz’s second victim. Pakistan claimed the fifth wicket through Abrar Ahmed, while Saim Ayub dismissed the sixth and seventh Dutch batters. Van der Merwe was the eighth wicket to fall, caught by Salman Ali Agha off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling.

In the final over, Salman Mirza took two more wickets to wrap up the innings, as the Netherlands were bowled out for 147. At one stage, the Dutch side looked on course to score between 160 and 170, but Pakistan’s bowlers made a strong comeback, taking the last six wickets for just 20 runs.

For Pakistan, Salman Mirza led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Nawaz picked up two wickets each. Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed one wicket.

Netherlands captain Scott Edwards top-scored with 37 runs, followed by Bas de Leede (30), Michael Leut (24), and Colin Ackermann (20).

Earlier, speaking after the toss, Salman Ali Agha said he was seeing such a pitch in Sri Lanka for the first time and added that Pakistan were playing with three pacers and would try to execute their plans. Pakistan’s playing XI includes Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed.

Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards said that had they won the toss, they would also have preferred to bowl first, but had no issues with batting first. He added that the match was very important, just like their remaining group matches.

The ICC T20 World Cup features 20 teams divided into four groups, with three matches scheduled on the opening day. Later today, West Indies will face Scotland, while India will take on the USA. Rain has also been forecast during the match, making the toss a crucial factor.