In their World Cup opener, Pakistan began their campaign with a convincing 81-run victory over the Netherlands, despite a remarkable performance from Dutch all-rounder Bas de Leede.

The 1992 World Cup champions managed to score 286 runs in 49 overs, thanks in large part to impressive performances from Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan, who both contributed 68 runs each. They then proceeded to dismiss their opponents for 205 runs in 41 overs.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, saying, "I am satisfied with the result. Credit to the bowlers, we started well and took wickets in the middle. We lost three wickets while batting but the way Rizwan and Shakeel started took it away."

However, Pakistan faced a significant challenge from Bas de Leede, who took 4-62 and made it difficult for Pakistan to achieve a high total after being asked to bat on a flat pitch at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.

De Leede then played a crucial role in his team's innings, scoring 67 runs off 68 balls, including two sixes and six boundaries.

Nevertheless, once De Leede was dismissed by spinner Mohammad Nawaz in the 34th over, the Dutch team, which had reached 120-2 at one point, struggled to maintain their momentum.

The Netherlands lost Max O'Dowd (five) and Colin Ackermann (17) before De Leede and opener Vikramjit Singh (52 off 67 balls) formed a 70-run partnership for the third wicket.

Singh, who hit four boundaries and a six, was caught by spinner Shadab Khan, and pacer Haris Rauf removed Teja Nidamanuru (five) and rival skipper Scott Edwards without scoring, finishing with figures of 3-43.

Logan van Beek contributed with a run-a-ball 28, hitting three boundaries and a six, but Rauf dismissed Paul van Meekeren for seven to secure the victory for Pakistan.

Scott Edwards expressed his disappointment, saying, "It's a bit disappointing. We bowled and fielded well. We thought we had a good chance at 120-2. De Leede is a quality cricketer in all three departments. His innings was awesome, we just needed someone to be with him."

Earlier, the Netherlands justified their decision to bowl first, with fast bowler Logan van Beek removing the out-of-form opener Fakhar Zaman for 12 in the fourth over.

Spinner Colin Ackermann then claimed the prized wicket of Azam for five, while Paul van Meekeren dismissed Imam-ul-Haq for 15, leaving Pakistan struggling at 38-3.

Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan, in their World Cup debut, stabilized the innings with a strong 120-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, Pakistan lost three wickets in the span of 24 balls for 30 runs.

Shakeel, who hit nine boundaries and a six, miscued a sweep off spinner Aryan Dutt, while De Leede bowled Rizwan and had Iftikhar Ahmed dismissed for nine. Rizwan scored his runs with eight boundaries.

Pakistan received a further boost as Mohammad Nawaz (39) and Shadab (32) added 64 runs for the seventh wicket. However, De Leede dismissed Shadab and Hasan Ali off consecutive deliveries.

Nawaz was run out in the 47th over, and Ackermann dismissed Rauf to bring Pakistan's innings to a close in the 49th over.