"This is a game that got away": Scott Edwards

The Netherlands pushed Pakistan hard at various moments, but in the end, the Test-playing nation’s experience prevailed in Hyderabad. The Men in Green registered an 81-run win to kick off their World Cup 2023 campaign on Friday evening (October 6). 

Opting to bowl first, the Dutch had Pakistan 48/3 after the first 10 overs in the game. From thereon, a 120-run stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, both of whom scored 68 runs each, restored Pakistan’s innings. Handy contributions from the lower-order further carried Pakistan to a par score of 286. 

The Netherlands also started well with the bat. However, they slid from 120/2 in 23.4 overs to be bowled out for 205.

“A little bit disappointing,” said the Dutch skipper, Scott Edwards on the outcome. 

“Think we bowled a fielded really well. Credit to Pakistan, they batted well in the end. Felt the total was par, we felt we were in the game when we were on 120.

“This is a game that got away. We know they have quality bowlers but they took wickets which held us back,” Edwards assessed in the post-match ceremony. 

The Netherlands lost two wickets in the 27th over of the run chase, with Teja Nidamanuru (5 off nine deliveries) and Edwards (0 off two deliveries) fell within a space of two balls. That is where the Dutch’s run chase was derailed. 

How did Pakistan take the result - a good win or an opportunity lost to have a dominating game, given they were playing the only Associate team of this World Cup? Also, the Netherlands played their last ODI game three months back. The Pakistan skipper expressed they are happy with the result. 

“I am satisfied with the result. Credit to the bowlers, we started well and took wickets in the middle,” Babar said after the match. 

“We lost three wickets while batting, the way Rizwan and Shakeel started took it away. The way Saud built his innings shows his improvement in building the innings,” Babar added further to praise the efforts of Rizwan and Shakeel. 

Shakeel was adjudged the Player of the Match for his 68 off 52 deliveries. 

“Very pleased. Tried to follow my basics and be positive to score for my team,” Shakeel said. He added that he was nervous, given the match situation but the plan of scoring boundaries upfront worked in his favor. 

“Nerves was there as we'd lost three wickets. I was lucky to get early boundaries. We discussed that the pressure would transfer if we scored, which did happen,” explained the left-handed batter. 

However, there was another star in the match. Bas de Leede, the Dutch all-rounder, pouched 4/62 with the ball and also scored a brilliant 67 with the bat from 68 deliveries. His innings included six fours and two sixes. As long as he was there, Pakistan didn’t breathe easy. On his World Cup debut, de Leede was the biggest positive for his side. 

“De Leede is a quality cricket in all three departments. His innings was awesome, just needed someone to be with him,” skipper Edwards spoke about the 23-year old. 

De Leede broke some records on the way, courtesy of his all-round performance. 

While there were positives, Logan van Beek’s injury was a cause of concern for the Dutch. The right- arm seamer was struggling to run between the wickets because of a leg injury. Batting at number nine, he still scored an unbeaten 28 at run-a-ball. He is an important player for the Netherlands with more than 50 international wickets. 

“Not spoken to van Beek, need to see where he's at,” said Edwards about all the information he had to provide about his paceman’s injury.