(Image Source: Twitter)
[Saba Sports News] The second match of the ODI World Cup 2023 featured Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, facing off against the Netherlands at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on October 6.
Pakistan had a rough start to their innings, losing early wickets, including Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, and Babar Azam, who scored 12, 15, and five runs, respectively. However, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan’s impressive batting stabilized Pakistan’s innings.
“There were nerves. But I was lucky that I found a few odd boundaries. Sometimes it happens that you find such boundaries, it makes it easier for you. I was clear in my mind that I wanted to attack and play positive cricket. Rizwan bhai’s role was to go long but my plan was simple,” Saud Shakeel was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. “I had focused on a few bowlers of the Netherlands. If I had to hit from above, I would take a chance. I did that. I took a chance. I was trying to stay positive and kept attacking the bowlers I had targeted,” he added.
Shakeel scored 68 runs from 52 deliveries, while Rizwan contributed 68 runs from 75 deliveries, helping Pakistan reach a total of 286 runs. Pakistan secured victory with a strong bowling performance, defending their total as they dismissed the Netherlands for 205 runs. The win marked Pakistan’s first World Cup victory in India.