Watch: Babar Azam gave the Netherlands a huge early scalp in their World Cup opener, pulling Colin Ackermann to mid-wicket as Pakistan collapsed in the powerplay.
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Fakhar Zaman had already been dismissed early after Pakistan were put in to bat. He was dismissed by Logan van Beek in the fourth over of Pakistan’s innings to bring Babar out with his side 15-1. Having played out five dots in his first six balls at the crease, Babar struggled to get going against some tight bowling from Van Beek and Aryan Dutt.
When Ackermann came on to bowl the eighth over of the innings, Babar played out another two dots from his first two deliveries before attempting to break the shackles on the third. He looked to pull a length ball from the off-spinner into the leg side, but was cramped for room as the ball turned in. Late on the shot and with no timing, the ball flew to the right of Saqib Zulfiqar at mid-wicket at shoulder height.
Zulfiqar took the catch fairly comfortably before spreading his arms out in celebration. Babar had to walk back to the dressing room having scored five off 18 balls.
Things went from bad to worse for Pakistan in the following over as Imam-ul-haq was caught in the deep off Paul van Meekeren. That wicket left Pakistan at 38-3 before the end of the powerplay, with all of their top three out before reaching 20.
Watch: Pakistan lose three early wickets in World Cup opener below
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