World Cup 2023: Saud Shakeel hits under-pressure fifty against Netherlands in Hyderabad

Pakistan batter Saud Shakeel scored a brilliant half-century against Netherlands in their opening match of the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Pakistan is facing the Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023: Full Coverage

Shakeel scored an under-pressure half-century to save Pakistan’s blushes in the second match of the 2023 World Cup. Shakeel walked in when Pakistan were reeling at 38 for 3, with Fakhar Zaman, skipper Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq back in the pavilion.

Shakeel was positive from the get-go and formed a crucial 120-run partnership with wicket-keeping batter Mohammad Rizwan. The two batters lifted Pakistan from a dangerous position to a comfortable one in the space of 20 overs.

Shakeel scored 68 runs off 52 deliveries, smashing nine boundaries and a solitary six. Shakeel was preffered over Salman Ali Agha in Pakistan’s middle order for their opening match of the 2023 World Cup.

Pakistan started off poorly with openers Zaman and Ul-Haq struggling to score freely in the powerplay. And the pressure paid off as the Netherlands managed to claim three wickets in the first 10 overs. Zaman departed after scoring 12 runs off 15 balls, Azam managed to score just five runs off 18 deliveries, while Ul-Haq scored 15 runs off 19 balls.

Shakeel and Rizwan pulled Pakistan up to 158 for 3 before Aryan Dutt struck in the 29th over. Rizwan soon followed Shakeel back in the pavilion, having scored 68 runs off 75 balls, hitting eight boundaries.

Bas de Leede removed Rizwan in the third ball of the 32nd over, before getting rid of the hard-hitting Iftikhar Ahmed in the final ball of the over to leave Pakistan reeling at 188 for 6.

Pakistan will be hoping to win their second World Cup title, having won the marquee tournament in 1992 under the leadership of the legendary Imran Khan.