“Man for the big stages”- Twitter reacts as the Netherlands falter badly while facing Shadab Khan’s spin attacks
Shadab Khan
The Netherlands were confident that can now play Pakistani‘s variety of bowling attacks, but they faltered badly and failed to reach even a three-digit mark. Pakistan bowled 63 dot balls in that game. Shadab Khan‘s three scalps restricted the Dutch to just 91/9 in 20 overs on Sunday [October 30] at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
The Netherlands won the toss and opted to bat first. Pakistan spearhead Shaheen Afridi gave the first breakthrough by dismissing Stephan Myburg in the third over. Shadab got rid of the second opener in the ninth over.
Bas de Leede retired hurt after scoring six runs off 16 balls, he got injured badly while facing Haris Rauf. In the 7th over, Shadab sent Tom Cooper, who scored just one run off two balls.
Only skipper Colin Ackermann could remain at the crease longer than his other teammates. He played 27 balls to score 27 runs with two fours before Shadab sent him to the pavilion. It happened in the 15th over when Shadab landed a full-and-flighted ball, and Ackermann tried to reverse-batted the shot but failed to connect; the ball hit the stumps and removed the bails.
Naseem Shah took care of Scott Edwards in the 16th over. Naseem bowled a full-length ball, which Edwards shuffled and played a scoop shot, but there wasn’t much pace, and Iftikhar Ahmed from fine leg ran and grabbed a fine catch.
The other batters could score only single-digit runs to put on a mere 91/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Shadab scalped three wickets, Mohammad Wasim grabbed two, while Shaheen, Naseem, and Harif Rauf bagged one wicket each.
This match is very crucial from Pakistan’s point of view. The target looks easier for Babar Azam-led Pakistan, but they are relying on winning their two left matches and other Group 2 teams’ results.
Gouri Das
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