Faheem Ashraf steers Pakistan home in nail-biting World Cup thriller
Colombo: Pakistan narrowly escaped a major upset in their opening match of the Pakistan vs Netherlands T20 World Cup campaign, securing a tense three-wicket victory at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Saturday. In a game that swung like a pendulum, it was a late blitz by Faheem Ashraf that eventually saved the Men in Green from embarrassment against a spirited Dutch side.
Opting to field first, the Pakistani bowlers did a decent job restricting the Netherlands. The Dutch side struggled to build long partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals. Captain Scott Edwards was the standout performer for the Netherlands, scoring a fighting 37 off 29 balls, while Bas de Leede contributed a steady 30.
For Pakistan, Salman Mirza was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three crucial wickets to keep the opposition in check. The Netherlands were eventually bowled out for a competitive 147 in 19.5 overs, setting the stage for an intriguing chase.
In reply, Pakistan’s batting lineup looked shaky despite a solid start from opener Sahibzada Farhan, who smashed 47 off 31 balls. However, once he departed, the middle order crumbled under pressure. Key players like Babar Azam and Shadab Khan failed to fire, leaving Pakistan reeling at 114 for 7 in the 17th over. The match looked to be slipping away as the Dutch bowlers, led by Paul van Meekeren and Aryan Dutt, tightened the screws.
Just when an upset looked certain, Faheem Ashraf played a match-winning cameo. He blasted an unbeaten 29 off just 11 deliveries, hitting three massive sixes to shift the momentum. His aggressive hitting ensured Pakistan cricket news headlines remained positive, as the team chased down the target with just three balls to spare.
This victory gives Pakistan vital points in Group A, but the management will have plenty to discuss regarding the middle-order collapse. For sports fans in Odisha following the T20 World Cup 2026 highlights, this match served as a perfect example of the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket.
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