Livescore updates Pakistan vs Netherlands, 2023 World Cup: Pakistan wants to start campaign with victory vs Netherlands | Cricket news

PAK vs NED, Cricket WC Live: Naseem Shah’s absence

In the absence of the injured Naseem Shah, Pakistan’s bowlers were at the receiving end in the pair of warm-ups against New Zealand and Australia. Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan has struggled since the Asia Cup and goes into the opener under pressure. Fellow leg-spinner Usama Mir is breathing down his neck and there is a chance that both will start against the Netherlands as Pakistan look for wickets in the middle overs.

PAK vs NED, Cricket WC Live: Babar-Rizwan in good form

The big positive for the unpredictable team is that the numbers three and four, captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, are in sublime contact. Iftikhar Ahmed has also taken the points, but it remains to be seen whether Salman Agha will also be placed in the middle bracket.

PAK vs NED, Cricket WC Live: Pakistan’s top order in pictures

The problems start from the top, with the opening combination not looking the most threatening in the competition. Imam-Ul-Haq averages an impressive 50 in ODIs, but on flatter decks in India he needs to improve his strike rate of 82 by a few notches. Imam is expected to start against the Netherlands, but the team will have to choose between the destructive but out-of-form Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique, who has no experience of world events.

PAK vs NED, Cricket WC Live: Pakistan aims for a winning start

Pakistan would be desperate to plug the gaping holes and hope that their star players would return to form. After an early exit from the Asia Cup and defeats in the two warm-up matches, Pakistan certainly need to step up their game to make it deep into the ODI showpiece.

PAK vs NED, Cricket WC Live: Hello

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Pakistan vs Netherlands Cricket World Cup 2023 match live from the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Stay tuned for all live updates.