Narrow win for Pakistan over Netherlands

A century from Fakhar Zaman has enabled Pakistan to overcome a slow start to beat the Netherlands by 16 runs in their first one-day international.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first in Rotterdam on Tuesday. Having struggled to 0-3 after four overs it got worse for the visitors at 1-10 in six overs following Vivian Kingma's maiden wicket.

That claimed Imam-ul-Haq (2) lbw on referral by the Netherlands.

Opener Fakhar Zaman led the recovery with 109 runs in 109 balls, including 12 fours and a six, before he was run out.

Zaman and captain Babar Azam (74 in 85) shared a 168-run partnership for the second wicket, and Shadab Khan later smashed a 28-ball 48 not out as Pakistan posted a challenging total of 6-314.

Dutch pacer Bas de Leede took 2-42 in 10 overs.

In reply, the Netherlands came close with 8-298. Dutch captain Scott Edwards was not out on 71 in 60 balls. Opener Vikramjit Singh and No. 5 Tom Cooper both hit 65 runs each. Cooper scored at a much faster pace, needing 54 deliveries for his 65 compared to 98 balls for Singh.

India pacers Haris Rauf (3-67) and Naseem Shah (3-51) did most of the damage.

The second of three ODI matches is at Rotterdam on Thursday.