Pakistan had a perfect start to their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign with a thumping 81-run win over the Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium thanks to some outstanding performances.
They play Sri Lanka today in what will be their final outing in Hyderabad in this tournament, and are eager to leave the city with two wins in two matches.
Speaking to PCB Digital ahead of the contest, Nawaz, said, “It is very important to start a big tournament on a positive note and that is what we were looking for.”
“We have played two practice matches here and our tournament opener in Hyderabad. It all, however, boils down to playing good cricket on the day and executing your skills perfectly. We are hopeful of carrying the momentum that we have gained by beating the Netherlands and finishing the Hyderabad leg with a win.”
That Pakistan were able to set a defendable score after initial dismissals was because of some brilliant rearguard partnerships in the middle and lower-middle order. While reflecting on those partnerships and Saud’s incredible half-century, Nawaz said, “It was an outstanding partnership between Rizwan and Saud Shakeel considering the circumstances it came in. Saud played some brilliant counterattacking cricket after going in at 40 for three [38 for three] and it gave us a good stand.
“Shadab and I were looking to take the innings deep and the plan was to keep building the partnership till the 45th, 46th over and then finish on an attacking note. Unfortunately, we could not provide that finishing but we were able to get a good total for the team.”
After that 27th over by Haris, Pakistan had a tight grip on the match, but de Leede continued to provide resistance. He was finally undone, thanks to a scorcher from Nawaz that had everything that a left-arm orthodox can imagine.
