Pakistan avoid humiliating upset scare as Faheem Ashraf's heroics upset Netherlands

Pakistan beat Netherlands in T20 World Cup 2026 [Source: @CallMeSheri1_/X.com]

Pakistan survived a tense chase to beat Netherlands by three wickets in their Group A opener of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Colombo. What looked like a comfortable pursuit turned into a nervy finish after a middle-order collapse. 

Netherlands showed discipline with the ball and stayed in the contest deep into the game. In the end, a late assault from Faheem Ashraf ensured Pakistan crossed the line with three balls to spare, avoiding an early upset.

Netherlands got off to a steady start

After being asked to bat first, Netherlands had a cautious and slow start in the first inning against Pakistan at Colombo. Michael Levitt looked fluent early. He scored 24 from 15 balls with clean hitting. 

Max O’Dowd struggled for timing and fell early. Levitt’s dismissal in the fifth over further slowed the momentum.

Bas de Leede tried to anchor the innings. He made 30 from 25 balls and rotated the strike well. Colin Ackermann added energy in the middle overs. His 20 from 14 balls included crisp boundaries. 

Together, they pushed Netherlands past fifty but failed to build a long stand. Pakistan’s bowlers kept breaking partnerships at key moments.

Edwards fought, but Pakistan finished strong

Scott Edwards played the most impactful knock for Netherlands. The captain scored 37 from 29 balls. He hit three fours and a six and held the innings together. Edwards found support from de Leede for a while, adding a useful stand. 

However, once Edwards fell in the 16th over, the innings slipped quickly. Lower-order batters tried to add late runs but lacked control. 

Aryan Dutt struck 13 from 8 balls but could not change the tempo. Netherlands lost their final five wickets for just 42 runs.

Pakistan’s bowling was well spread. Salman Mirza took 3 wickets and applied pressure at the death. Abrar Ahmed picked up 2 wickets with control and variation. 

Mohammad Nawaz also claimed 2 wickets as Netherlands were bowled out for 147 in 19.5 overs, reaching a competitive but below-par total. 

Sahibzada Farhan gets the chase going

Pakistan began the chase with positive intent. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub attacked from the start. The powerplay brought 61 runs, giving Pakistan early control. Saim Ayub looked sharp. He scored 24 from 13 balls with clean strokes. His dismissal in the third over slowed the pace slightly.

Farhan continued to play freely. He found gaps and punished loose balls. Salman Agha supported him briefly but fell quickly. Pakistan reached 53/2 inside five overs. 

The run rate stayed healthy, but wickets started to matter. Farhan played the anchor role and crossed forty with ease as his knock kept Pakistan ahead of the asking rate.

Pakistan avoid humiliation after Faheem’s heroics

The chase became tricky after the 10th over. Farhan was dismissed for 47 off 31 balls, just when stability was needed. Two balls later, Usman Khan was bowled for a duck. Pressure increased as Babar Azam struggled for timing. He scored 15 from 18 balls and failed to rotate strike.

Pakistan slipped to 100/5 by the 13th over. The required rate climbed. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz tried to rebuild but could not find boundaries. Netherlands bowled tightly, led by van der Merwe and van Meekeren. 

The game turned in the final phase. Faheem Ashraf played a decisive cameo. He smashed 29 from 11 balls, including three sixes. The 24-run 19th over shifted momentum back to Pakistan.

Shaheen Afridi stayed calm at the other end. Pakistan managed to reach the target in 19.3 overs, winning by three wickets and narrowly avoiding what could have been a massive upset.