Faheem Ashraf's Nerve Holds as Pakistan Edge Netherlands in T20 World Cup Opener
In a heart-stopping start to the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan narrowly avoided a major upset by defeating the Netherlands by three wickets in Colombo. The match, held at the Sinhalese Sports Club, saw Pakistan's batting lineup crumble under pressure before bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf stepped up with a crucial unbeaten knock to seal victory with three balls remaining.
Dramatic Collapse and Rescue Act
Chasing a modest target of 148, Pakistan appeared to be cruising at 98/2 after 11 overs. However, a spectacular collapse saw them lose five wickets for just two runs in the next 10 deliveries, throwing the game into chaos. The dismissal of captain Babar Azam, caught in the deep, raised serious concerns about Pakistan's ability to handle pressure in such conditions.
With the asking rate soaring to 14.50 per over and Pakistan reduced to 100/5, the Netherlands sensed an improbable victory. The situation worsened when Shadab Khan fell as the seventh wicket, leaving Faheem Ashraf to partner with tailender Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Ashraf's Heroic Finish
Faheem Ashraf, who was not called upon to bowl in the match, proved his worth with the bat. After surviving a dropped catch by Max O'Dowd in the 19th over, he capitalized on the reprieve by smashing two sixes and a boundary. His composed 29 not out guided Pakistan to 148/7 in 19.3 overs, sparking sighs of relief rather than exuberant celebrations in the dugout.
"It was a tense finish, but Faheem showed great character under pressure," said a team insider. "His ability to stay calm and finish the game is a huge positive for us moving forward."
Spin Trio Sets Up Early Advantage
Earlier, Pakistan's spin attack laid the foundation for victory. On the slow Sri Lankan pitches, the trio of Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, and Saim Ayub exploited the conditions expertly, restricting the Netherlands to 147 all out in 19.5 overs. Their variety and control proved too much for the Dutch batsmen, who struggled to build partnerships despite several players getting starts.
Netherlands captain Scott Edwards top-scored with 37, but his dismissal triggered a collapse. Left-arm pacer Salman Mirza provided the finishing touches with figures of 3/24, including key breakthroughs in the death overs.
Strategic Decisions and Tournament Context
Pakistan's think-tank, led by head coach Mike Hesson and captain Agha, made tactical moves that paid off. They benched new spin sensation Usman Tariq to keep him for later stages, instead relying on the experience of Shadab Khan, who delivered an economical spell. This win is crucial for Pakistan, as they face must-win matches against Associate nations like the Netherlands, USA, and Namibia in the group stage, especially with their high-profile clash against India still uncertain.
Brief Scores: Netherlands 147 all out in 19.5 overs (Scott Edwards 37, Bas de Leede 30; Salman Mirza 3/24) lost to Pakistan 148/7 in 19.3 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 47, Faheem Ashraf 29; Paul van Meekeren 2/20) by three wickets.
This victory provides Pakistan with much-needed momentum in a tournament where they have quietly built a team tailored for Sri Lankan conditions, moving past reliance on reputations and focusing on a cohesive core.
