Wounded Pakistan bid to avoid Netherlands hammer blow

NICK HOWSON: Successive defeats leave Babar Azam's side on the brink in Australia but they'll be hoping to turn the pain of two narrow defeats into a much-needed win

Two matches into their Super 12s campaign and Pakistan are already looking for favours. They can win their last three Group Two matches and still be on one of the first planes home. It might not be the hope that ultimately kills them, but it will certainly try.

And even if Babar Azam's side can recover, finish on six points and benefit from results out of their hands, defeats in two close games is hardly an encouraging sign ahead of the sharp end of the competition.

It isn't as though their shortcomings can be revised overnight. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have 22 runs between them and Shaheen Shah Afridi is yet to take a wicket. Regardless of the outcome in Perth, turning around their tournament isn't a quick fix.

"In international cricket, you can not term any team as a weaker side, you’ve to be respectful to all the sides when you are playing them in an international event. They all are here to win the tournament and you’ve to give your 100% against all the teams you play," said Haris Rauf, one of the more impressive performers with three wickets and an economy rate of six.

^{Problems are mounting for Pakistan's star turns (WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)}

"We lost both matches after coming so close, on the last balls, we made our all efforts in both games.

"We are as hurt as any cricket fan would be. The tournament is not finished for us and we can still make a comeback, we have three games left and we are confident of doing well in these tournaments.

"We couldn't finish those two games properly, we have analysed our mistakes and will do better. We are focused on our cricket and not listening too much to what is being said outside."

Ironically, India might have as big a say in Pakistan's destiny as they do progress. If Rohit Sharma's side can beat South Africa on Sunday (October 30) it tees up a fascinating clash with The Proteas, a virtual quarter-final, on Thursday (November 3) in Sydney.

THE BIG MATCH

Who: Netherlands vs Pakistan

Where: Perth Stadium, Perth

When: Sunday, October 30 (3pm local time, 7am BST)

Prediction: Pakistan

Netherlands will be licking their lips at the prospect of all but ending Pakistan's tournament.

They got the chance to test themselves against the Asia Cup runners-up in August in a three-match ODI series. Though Babar's side secured a 3-0 whitewash, it was anything but emphatic. The Dutch were beaten by 16 runs in the first match and missed out by nine in the third.

"We've obviously seen that Pakistan team is beatable, so that's good to know," said head coach Ryan Cook.

"Obviously, playing them in the World Super League not so long ago in the Netherlands has given us a lot of confidence because we came quite close in those matches. Hoping to get over the line this time. It would be great.

^{The Dutch are hoping to stage the latest surprise result (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)}

"Really feel prepared for what we are receiving. Obviously, to play against the international opposition throughout the last year and a half or so stands us in good stead for what's going into this tournament."

Though India eventually ran out winners by 56 runs at the SCG, the Dutch were competitive for long periods. Through seven overs of the chase, they were only two runs and a wicket behind India at the same stage but were unable to press the accelerator.

Cook added: "We're really proud of the way the guys bowled and stuck to their plans. Obviously, the fielding as well, barring a couple of mistakes here and there.

"So hopefully more of the same. Our bowling attack is firing well, and hopefully, we can keep taking a few more wickets to give ourselves a bit more time at the back end to be able to make some inroads into the Pakistan batting order."

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