Pakistan Survive Major Scare in Tense T20 World Cup Opener Against Netherlands
With the specter of a potential boycott hanging over their upcoming high-stakes clash against India on February 15, the Pakistan cricket team entered their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign under immense pressure. That pressure nearly turned into disaster on Saturday, as they came perilously close to a catastrophic opening defeat against associate nation the Netherlands. It took a stunning, match-winning intervention from all-rounder Faheem Ashraf to salvage a victory and keep their tournament hopes alive.
A Chase That Stumbled Badly After a Strong Start
Chasing a modest target of 148 runs at the historic Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, Pakistan appeared to be cruising comfortably. At 98 for 2 after just 11 overs, requiring only 50 more runs from 54 deliveries, victory seemed a formality. However, the match turned dramatically with the introduction of Dutch paceman Paul van Meekeren.
Van Meekeren struck a crucial double blow in his over, first dismissing the well-set opener Sahibzada Farhan for a brisk 47 off 31 balls, caught brilliantly by Roelof van der Merwe. He then removed the dangerous Usman Khan for a golden duck, sending shockwaves through the Pakistani camp. The collapse accelerated when captain Babar Azam fell in the 13th over, caught at long-off off the bowling of van der Merwe.
The middle and lower order then crumbled under pressure. Pakistan slipped from a commanding position to a precarious 100 for 5, then 114 for 6, and finally 114 for 7 in the 16.1st over, as Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan were dismissed off consecutive deliveries. With 34 runs still needed from just 23 balls, the required rate climbed sharply as the batting side managed a mere 5 runs from the next 11 deliveries.
Faheem Ashraf's Decisive Match-Turning Over
Facing a daunting equation of 29 runs required from the final 12 balls, with Logan van Beek set to bowl the penultimate over, Pakistan stared defeat squarely in the face. The Netherlands, sensing a historic upset, could almost taste victory. Enter Faheem Ashraf.
In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, Ashraf launched a brutal assault on van Beek in the 19th over, smashing 24 crucial runs. He struck three massive sixes, completely shifting the momentum of the match. Fortune also favored the brave, as a difficult chance offered by Ashraf was spilled in the deep by Dutch fielder Max O'Dowd during that game-changing over.
That single over transformed the contest, swinging it decisively back in Pakistan's favor. Ashraf fittingly finished the chase with a lofted cover drive for the winning runs, securing a three-wicket victory with three balls to spare. Remarkably, just nine deliveries earlier, the target had appeared completely out of reach. Ashraf remained unbeaten on a blistering 29 runs from just 11 balls, an innings of immense value under extreme pressure.
Questions Remain Despite the Great Escape
While the result was ultimately a relief for Pakistan, the performance exposed significant vulnerabilities in their batting lineup. The Dutch bowlers, particularly Paul van Meekeren and the experienced Roelof van der Merwe, expertly dissected Pakistan's middle and lower-middle order, exploiting visible nerves and technical flaws.
The dramatic victory, secured by the narrowest of margins, papers over the cracks for now but raises serious concerns. The team's over-reliance on top-order batsmen and the fragility of the middle order were laid bare. These issues will need urgent addressing before they face stronger opponents, most notably their arch-rivals India.
For the Netherlands, it was a case of so near yet so far. Their disciplined bowling and fielding effort for most of the match deserved a better outcome. However, one expensive over from Logan van Beek and a dropped catch proved catastrophically costly, handing Pakistan a lifeline they desperately needed.
Pakistan's campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026 has begun with a heart-stopping escape. The team lives to fight another day, but the alarm bells are ringing loudly. All eyes will now be on how they regroup and prepare for the monumental challenge that awaits them against India, with the shadow of off-field controversies adding another layer of complexity to their campaign.
