Pakistan launched their ICC T20 World Cup campaign with a dramatic three-wicket victory over the Netherlands in a nerve-racking opening match, as Faheem Ashraf’s explosive late cameo turned the game on its head in Colombo. Chasing a modest but tricky target, Pakistan stumbled badly before Faheem’s fearless hitting sealed a memorable win and gave the team a crucial early boost in the tournament.
The match, played under lights in Colombo, lived up to its billing as a high-pressure World Cup opener, with momentum swinging repeatedly before Pakistan finally crossed the line in the closing moments.
Early Promise, Sudden Collapse in the Chase
Pakistan began their run chase with Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub opening the innings. The start looked promising as Saim Ayub played aggressively, racing to 24 runs off just 13 balls. His innings included four boundaries and a towering six, briefly putting Pakistan ahead of the required rate. However, his dismissal at 27 runs proved to be a turning point, triggering a steady collapse.
Captain Salman Ali Agha failed to stabilize the innings and was dismissed for 12 runs with the total at 53. Sahibzada Farhan showed some resistance, scoring 46 runs, but his departure further dented Pakistan’s chase. The situation worsened when Usman Khan was bowled for a duck, with both Farhan and Usman falling in the same over to Paul van Meekeren.
The pressure intensified when Babar Azam was caught off the bowling of Van der Merwe in the very next over, leaving Pakistan reeling. Mohammad Nawaz managed only six runs from 13 deliveries, while Shadab Khan contributed eight runs before returning to the pavilion. With seven wickets down and the target still within reach but slipping away, Pakistan looked on the brink of a shocking defeat.
Faheem Ashraf Turns the Match Around
Just when the contest appeared to be drifting out of Pakistan’s control, Faheem Ashraf produced a stunning display of power-hitting. Showing composure and attacking intent, Faheem smashed 29 runs off just 11 balls, striking three sixes and two boundaries. His fearless approach completely changed the momentum, silencing Dutch hopes and energizing the Pakistani camp.
Faheem’s calculated aggression ensured that Pakistan reached the target with three wickets in hand, sealing their first victory of the World Cup in dramatic fashion. His innings not only rescued Pakistan from a precarious position but also underlined the importance of lower-order contributions in high-pressure tournament matches.
Netherlands’ Solid Start With the Bat
Earlier, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that initially appeared risky as the Netherlands got off to a steady start. Openers Michael Levitt and Max O’Dowd added 28 runs before O’Dowd was dismissed for five by Salman Mirza.
Levitt looked fluent during his stay, scoring 24 runs before falling to Mohammad Nawaz. Colin Ackermann added 20 runs, while Bas de Leede played a key role in the middle order, scoring 30 runs before becoming Nawaz’s second victim. At one stage, the Netherlands seemed well placed to post a total in the range of 160 to 170 runs.
Pakistan Bowlers Stage a Strong Comeback
Pakistan’s bowlers responded impressively during the latter half of the innings, tightening the screws and forcing mistakes. Mohammad Abrar claimed the fifth wicket, while Saim Ayub surprised many with his bowling, picking up two crucial wickets to stall the Dutch momentum.
Van der Merwe became the eighth Dutch batter to be dismissed, caught by Salman Ali Agha off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling. In a decisive final over, Salman Mirza struck twice, wrapping up the Netherlands’ innings for 147 runs. Pakistan’s bowling unit produced a remarkable comeback, taking the last six wickets for just 20 runs and preventing the Netherlands from reaching a more competitive total.
Salman Mirza finished as Pakistan’s most successful bowler with three wickets, while Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Nawaz claimed two wickets each. Shaheen Afridi chipped in with one wicket, maintaining pressure at crucial moments.
Dutch Resistance and Standout Performers
Despite the collapse, the Netherlands showed resilience with the bat. Captain Scott Edwards top-scored with 37 runs, anchoring the innings. Bas de Leede’s 30, Michael Levitt’s 24, and Colin Ackermann’s 20 provided valuable contributions, but the team failed to capitalize on their strong platform.
A Vital Start for Pakistan’s Campaign
Pakistan’s narrow win serves as both a confidence booster and a warning. While Faheem Ashraf’s heroics secured victory, the batting collapse highlighted areas that need urgent improvement. On the positive side, the bowling unit’s ability to claw back into the match demonstrated depth and resilience.
As the tournament progresses, Pakistan will look to build on this hard-fought win, refine their batting stability, and carry momentum forward. For the Netherlands, the performance showed promise, but missed opportunities at key moments ultimately proved costly in a match that went down to the wire
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