Faheem Ashraf snatches victory from the jaws of defeat as Pakistan topple Netherlands
Faheem Ashraf snatches victory from the jaws of defeat as Pakistan topple Netherlands
By Nawaz Gohar: In a high-stakes encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Pakistan opened their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a hard-fought three-wicket victory over the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Complex on Saturday.
Chasing a modest target of 148, Pakistan’s middle order faltered, leaving the team reeling at 114-7. However, Faheem Ashraf turned the tide with a blistering cameo, smashing 29 runs off just 11 deliveries. His aggressive approach dismantled the Dutch bowling attack in the death overs, allowing Pakistan to reach the target with three balls to spare.
The chase began steadily with Sahibzada Farhan anchoring the innings with a solid 47, supported by Saim Ayub’s 24. However, a sudden collapse saw stars like Babar Azam (15), Captain Salman Ali Agha (12), and Shadab Khan (8) depart cheaply. Both Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Khan were dismissed for ducks, putting Pakistan in a precarious position.
Netherlands’ spin-twins Aryan Dutt and Paul van Meekeren took two wickets apiece, threatening an upset before Faheem’s late-game fireworks ensured the Green Shirts crossed the line.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl, citing a grassy pitch and overcast conditions. The decision paid dividends as Salman Mirza led the attack, claiming 3 wickets to dismantle the Dutch lineup. Netherlands were bowled out for 147 in 19.5 overs.
Dutch captain Scott Edwards top-scored with a resilient 37, while Bas de Leede contributed 30. Pakistan’s diversified bowling attack saw Saim Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz, and Abrar Ahmed pick up two wickets each, while Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed one.
Captain Salman Ali Agha expressed his surprise at the pitch conditions: “The rain made the conditions favorable for bowling. I’ve rarely seen this much grass on a Sri Lankan pitch. Our strategy to go with three frontline pacers and quality all-rounders was the right call for today.”
The victory provides Pakistan with crucial early momentum in the tournament, though the middle-order collapse remains a point of concern for the management ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
