Faheem Ashraf produced a blistering late cameo as Pakistan edged past the Netherlands side in a nerve-testing opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Saturday.
Chasing 148, Pakistan appeared in control early on, but a sudden middle-order collapse put them under pressure. At one stage, the Green Shirts required 29 runs from the final two overs with wickets tumbling.
However, batting at No. 8, Faheem seized the moment and smashed 22 runs off Logan van Beek in the penultimate over, striking three sixes and a four.
Consequently, Pakistan needed just four runs from the final over, which Faheem calmly finished with a boundary. He remained unbeaten on 29 off 11 balls, guiding his side home with three deliveries to spare.
Earlier, Saim Ayub gave Pakistan a brisk start with 24 off 13 balls. Although Salman Ali Agha and Sahibzada Farhan maintained momentum, the Netherlands fought back strongly. Paul van Meekeren triggered the collapse, while Roelof van der Merwe removed Babar Azam, leaving Pakistan reeling at 114-7 before Faheem’s heroics.
Bowlers set up a modest target
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s bowlers laid the foundation by restricting the Netherlands to 147 in 19.5 overs after opting to bowl first. The Dutch began positively, but timely breakthroughs shifted momentum.
Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed struck regularly through the middle overs, while sharp fielding added pressure. Salman Mirza led the attack with 3 for 24, as Pakistan dismissed the Netherlands short of the 150 mark. As a result, Pakistan opened its campaign with a hard-fought victory.
