Babar and Naseem star as Pakistan beat Netherlands in clean sweep ODI
Pakistan won the three-game ODI series against the Netherlands 3-0
Cricket PassionEditor
Posted - 2022-08-22T11:11:53+06:00
Updated - 2022-08-22T13:25:15+06:00
Captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Naseem Shah starred as Pakistan beat the Netherlands by just 9 runs in the third and one day worldwide in Rotterdam on Sunday..
The Netherlands had gone all out with 197 points in the final where they wanted 14 runs for a first-ever win over Pakistan.
Tight bowling had limited Pakistan to 206 all-outs, with captain Azam scoring the best with 91 points.
In return, Tom Cooper (62) and Vikramjit Singh (50) scored the Dutchman's best goals, but fast teenage bowler Shah at 5-33 proved crucial as Pakistan won the series 3-0.
Pakistan won the toss, opting to bat on a sticky wicket on a cool and barely overcast day, occasionally worrying both the Dutch and Pakistani batsmen.
Netherlands paceman Vivian Kingma struck early as he flew the balls with his first ball in the second over, knocking out opener Abdullah Shafique.
Rising Dutch youngster Aryan Dutt took the deciding wicket from Azam - the world's top ODI batsman - as the Pakistan captain stood at 91 and looked poised for his 18th ODI century.
Azam shoved the ball in the air while Dutt dived and scored a brilliant one-handed catch for his 10th one-day international wicket.
Azam partnered with Dangerman Fakhar Zaman (26) in a 55-run partnership that proved decisive in the end.
The Dutch batsmen responded with veteran Cooper, who scored a half-century for a third straight year, and rising youngster Singh, who carved his third cap from 85 deliveries half a century ago.
The Dutch put the Netherlands within reach of a famous win, but last man Dutt fell short with a full-toss bowled by Mohammad Wasim, who won 4-36 in the final.
Pakistan's big break came when they removed Cooper for 62 in the 46th over.
Cooper, looking for a big hit to take the pressure off, got a leading edge and sent the ball high in the air which was brilliantly taken by Zaman, who had to run a long way from deep midwicket for a dive catch.
Teja Nidamanuru hit a valiant 24 of 32 balls before Shah conquered his scalp with a ball that bounced back and hit the top of his middle stump.