In the second match of the ongoing 2023 ODI World Cup between Pakistan and Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Men in Green pacer Haris Rauf and Dutch batter Paul van Meekeren were involved in a heated on-field verbal fight. The tension between the two cricketers brewed when Rauf was looking to wrap up the Netherlands innings and was bowling with fierce pace.
Van Meekeren walked down the pitch and said a few words to the Pakistan pacer and the banter only increased when the Dutch batter smashed a boundary off Rauf on the last ball of the 39th over. In the next over, Rauf sent Van Meekeren's stumps cartwheeling with a speedy delivery and pointed finger at the stumps as if asking the Dutch batter to look behind and see the woodwork rattled.
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In Hyderabad, the Babar Azam-captained Pakistan team faced some challenges against the Netherlands but ultimately clinched an 81-run victory. Key contributions from Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, who both scored half-centuries, combined with a commendable bowling performance ensured Pakistan's superior stand against the underdogs.
After enduring a poor start against a charged-up Netherlands attack, the Men in Green's innings came back on track with Rizwan and Shakeel combining for a 120-run alliance for the fourth wicket. Later, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz stitched a 64-run partnership for the seventh wicket that helped Pakistan post a defendable total of 286 all out in 49 overs on the board.
Bas de Leede, who bagged four wickets with the ball, was the pick of all Dutch batters. The right-handed batter played some glorious shots in his innings of 67 runs off 68 balls which he scored with the help of six fours and two sixes. Despite the all-rounder's stupendous display, Netherlands were bundled out for 205 runs in 41 overs.
Rauf was the pick of all Pakistan bowlers as he finished with figures of 3/43 in nine overs. Hasan Ali bagged two wickets while Shaheen Afridi, Shadab, Nawaz and Iftikhar Ahmed bagged a wicket each.
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