Te Beeste-inspired Netherlands earn first victory over Pakistan

Boosted by a magnificent 80 by Pauline te Beeste, Netherlands women thrashed Pakistan by 57 runs to clinch their first success in the 7-match ODI series. The team effort and application displayed by the visitors in this particular encounter is really commendable, considering they have already lost the series owing to their consecutive defeats in the first four matches.

Netherlands, led for the first time by Salomons, lost the toss for the fifth consecutive time during the series, yet made the most of Pakistan captain¡¯s decision to put them into bat by scoring a competitive 205 for three in the allotted 50 overs.

The first wicket pair of Koster and Ramboldo started of with confidence, a feature found missing hitherto in their ranks, posting 29 in around 6 overs. However, it was the third-wicket partnership of 108 between te Beeste and Salomons, which really set the pace for a big total.

Coming together at the crease at 55 for 2, both grafted their innings with keenness, exploiting fielding gaps to sneak one¡¯s and two¡¯s and hitting boundaries whenever the opportunity came.

After the departure of te Beeste for a well made 80 (121 balls, 8 fours and 1 six), Salomons added another unbeaten 42 in about seven overs with Van Leeuwen, taking their score past 200 runs for the second time in the series.

Salomons remained not out on 55 off 91, which contained 4 hits to the fence, whereas her partner made an unbeaten 15 (22 balls) with the help of one boundary.

Pakistan captain used ten bowlers during the innings, but all of them were made to toil for success. Only Shaiza Khan, Khursheed Jabeen, and Kiran Baluch found some success, getting one wicket each for 42, 30, and 42 runs, respectively.

Pakistan started their search for 206 in a confident manner, putting up 91 for 3 by the 23rd over. Thereafter, it was merely a downslide, which eventually came to end with the last batswoman getting out 148 in the 41st over.

Apart from Zehmurad Afzal (27), Sajjida Shah (14), and Rabia Khan (26) none of the remaining batswomen could reach into double figures. Even the generous 52 wide balls thrown by bowlers could not inspire the home side to lift their game, as they gave their away wickets without much resistance.

For Netherlands, Van Leeuwen was the most successful bowler taking 2 for 12. She was ably supported by Van de Kieft and Salomons, chipping in two wickets each for 21 and 13, respectively.

Te Beeste was duly awarded player of the match award for her match-winning 80.

The next match of the series will be played Wednesday, 18 April.