Pakistan escaped a major upset against the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup opener as Faheem Ashraf smashed 29 off 11 balls to seal a tense three-wicket win after a dramatic late collapse in Colombo.
By MediaBites | Sports Desk
Pakistan narrowly avoided a shocking upset against the Netherlands in the opening Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo, winning by three wickets after a dramatic late assault from all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.
Chasing a modest 148, Pakistan looked in control early but then lost wickets in clusters. The middle order stalled, pressure mounted, and defeat — against a lower-ranked side — suddenly became a real possibility.
Then Faheem Ashraf arrived.
With Pakistan struggling in the final overs, he launched a counterattack, smashing boundaries and sixes with fearless intent. In just 11 balls he scored 29 not out, including three sixes, and struck the winning runs, turning near humiliation into relief.
He was rightly named Player of the Match.
Pakistan finished 148/7 in 19.3 overs, winning by three wickets.
Match Scorecard
Netherlands — 147 all out (19.5 overs)
Scott Edwards 37 (29)
Bas de Leede 30 (25)
Michael Levitt 24 (15)
Colin Ackermann 20 (14)
Pakistan bowling:
Salman Mirza 3/24
Mohammad Nawaz 2/38
Abrar Ahmed 2/23
Saim Ayub 2/7
Shaheen Afridi 1/28
Pakistan — 148/7 (19.3 overs)
Sahibzada Farhan 47 (31)
Saim Ayub 24 (13)
Babar Azam 15 (18)
Faheem Ashraf 29* (11)
Netherlands bowling:
Paul van Meekeren 2/20
Aryan Dutt 2/33
Roelof van der Merwe 1/13
Kyle Klein 1/23
Logan van Beek 1/46
Turning point
Pakistan were cruising early but slipped badly after the powerplay. At one stage, the chase looked lost. The required rate climbed, the lower order exposed, and tension grew.
Faheem Ashraf’s late hitting changed everything — a reminder that he often delivers when Pakistan are in crisis.
The victory brought relief, but also raised concerns: against stronger teams, such collapses could prove costly.
From criticism to hero
Faheem Ashraf has often faced criticism and calls for his exclusion from the team, but once again he delivered in the closing stages — an area where Pakistan has repeatedly relied on him.
His late hitting rescued Pakistan from what would have been considered a humiliating defeat and highlighted the team’s recurring dependence on last-over heroics.
For Pakistan, the result was a relief — but also a warning sign ahead of tougher contests.
For Pakistan, relief.
For Faheem Ashraf, redemption.
