Irfan Pathan and Bhogle commend Shakeel and Rizwan

In a thrilling World Cup encounter on Friday, Dutch all-rounder Bas de Leede delivered a remarkable performance by taking four wickets, effectively limiting Pakistan to a total of 286 runs. This bowling display disrupted an innings that saw impressive half-centuries from Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan.

Netherlands justified their decision to bowl first, as Pakistan found themselves struggling at 38-3 even before the conclusion of the first powerplay. However, Shakeel and Rizwan, making their World Cup debut, managed to stabilize the innings with a resilient 120-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Unfortunately, Pakistan faced a setback when they lost three wickets in the span of just 24 balls, adding a mere 30 runs to the scoreboard.

Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle and former cricketer Irfan Pathan were effusive in their praise for the remarkable efforts displayed by Pakistan’s middle and lower-order batsmen during this gripping World Cup encounter.

Yesterday Rachin took the advantage of practise match form, today Saud Shakeel doing the same. Good left hand option for Pakistan in the middle order. #PAKvNED

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 6, 2023

Shakeel, who played an aggressive innings with nine boundaries and a six, mistimed a sweep shot against spinner Aryan Dutt, while De Leede claimed the prized wickets of Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed for nine runs. Rizwan, who found the boundary eight times, had shown his class during his time at the crease.

Often hear people saying: if 7 can get the runs, 8 can't. I never believed in it. Look at today, numbers 7 & 8 have probably done it for Pakistan

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 6, 2023

Pakistan’s spirits were somewhat revived as Mohammad Nawaz (39) and Shadab Khan (32) contributed with a crucial 64-run partnership for the seventh wicket. However, De Leede’s brilliance shone through once more as he dismissed Shadab and Hasan Ali with consecutive deliveries.