Pakistan Edge Netherlands in Tense T20 World Cup Opener
In a gripping start to their T20 World Cup campaign, Pakistan narrowly defeated the Netherlands by three wickets in a match filled with dramatic twists and turns. The victory, secured in Colombo on Saturday, was anchored by a disciplined bowling performance and a late surge from all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, who was named Player of the Match.
Captain Salman Agha Applauds Bowling Unit's Discipline
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Pakistan captain Salman Agha highlighted the crucial role played by his bowlers. "We have to do it the hard way, but I think when we bowled, we really stuck to our plans well. With 148 on this kind of pitch, I can take that any day," Agha stated, emphasizing the team's strategic execution on a surface that offered assistance to smart bowling.
Agha acknowledged the batting struggles in the middle overs, noting, "We batted well in the first 10 overs, but in this format, five or six bad overs can push you far away from the game. If it's two or three, it's manageable, but more than that brings pressure." He credited Faheem Ashraf for stabilizing the innings with a vital knock, describing it as "outstanding and really important for us."
Reflecting on the bowling performance, Agha praised the collective effort, saying, "We started well and knew they were going to come hard. But I think we pulled things back really well. Our bowlers have been bowling well for the last six months, and they did it again today." He added that defending a total of 147-148 on such a pitch was competitive.
Netherlands Captain Scott Edwards Rues Batting Shortfall
Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards expressed disappointment over his team's batting performance, feeling they fell slightly short of a competitive total. "We felt around 160 would have given us a fair chance. We were a bit under, so we knew we had to bowl really well," Edwards explained.
He commended his bowlers for keeping the game alive until the final moments, particularly highlighting Paul van Meekeren's double-wicket maiden over that shifted momentum. "Pakistan got it down to a run a ball at one stage there, and Pauly bowled an over, I think he bowled a maiden or something. And then one that went for not many to really get that run rate up. And the boys sort of jumped on that momentum. You know sometimes cricket can be a cruel game," Edwards remarked.
Match Highlights: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
The Netherlands, batting first, were led by captain Scott Edwards (37) and Bas de Leede (30), who seemed set to propel the team past 170. However, a dramatic collapse ensued as Pakistani spinners Abrar Ahmed (2/23) and Saim Ayub (2/7) wreaked havoc, dismissing the last six wickets for just 20 runs. The Netherlands were bowled out for 147 in 19.5 overs.
Pakistan's chase began confidently, with Saim Ayub (24) and Sahibzada Farhan (47 off 31 balls) putting the team in a strong position at 98/2. Yet, a sudden batting collapse saw Pakistan lose five wickets for just 16 runs, slipping to 114/7 and teetering on the brink of an upset.
With 29 runs needed off the final 12 balls, Faheem Ashraf emerged as the hero. He smashed 24 runs in the penultimate over bowled by Logan van Beek and then hit the winning boundary in the last over, sealing a nerve-wracking victory for Pakistan.
Faheem Ashraf Reflects on Match-Winning Performance
After receiving the Player of the Match award, Faheem Ashraf shared his thoughts on the tense finish. "We've been playing similar cricket for the past one year. So whatever job is given, we try to do it properly and in the best possible way. The heartbeat was fast, this kind wasn't something new or the first time. So it was just about going out there and doing whatever we know how to do," he said.
Ashraf detailed the strategy during the critical phase, "With the batting partners, the discussion was to not give away our wicket. We can do it one over at a time. If we get 1 or 2 boundaries, we move closer. So, thank God, exactly what we wanted happened." On the final moments, he added, "When the ball was in the air, I kept praying for him to drop. We wanted to finish it quickly but sometimes it happens that your team collapses. In such situations, you have to keep your nerves under control. If you look at our team, even when we don't play well, we keep our nerves in check, and because of that we get good results."
This win provides a crucial start for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, especially amid their announced boycott of the group-stage match against India. The team will look to build on this performance as they progress in the tournament.
