![Pakistan batting compared to James Bond movie [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1770458307948_PakistanbattingcomparedwithJamesBondmovie.jpg?type=hq)
Pakistan batting compared to James Bond movie [Source: X]
Pakistan escaped from the jaws of defeat as Faheem Ashraf turned out to be their unlikely hero and took the team home in a tense run-chase in the T20 World Cup opener in Colombo. In a chase of 148, Pakistan lost seven wickets, as the Men in Green needed 29 off 12 deliveries against a rampant Netherlands attack.
However, Ashraf turned the tide as he smacked an unbeaten 29 off 11 balls and took the team past the winning line in a see-saw battle in Colombo. At one stage, the Men in Green were in cruise control, but the Dutch attack tightened the cruise before Faheem Ashraf came to the Pakistan rescue.
It was a game that Pakistan should have dominated, especially after restricting the Netherlands to a below-par total. However, their batters, barring the openers, faltered, and somehow, someway, Pakistan won the match and grabbed two crucial points.
Pakistan captain takes a cheeky dig at batters after shambolic performance
After the game, Pakistan skipper Salman Agha spoke about his team's performance and took a cheeky dig at the batters, comparing Pakistan's batting to a James Bond movie.
"Pakistan do have this ability to make a straightforward run chase feel like a James Bond movie - we always seem to do it the hard way. But having said that, I think our bowling was very good. We stuck to our plans well and restricted them to 148, which I would happily take any day," Pakistan captain said.
James Bond movies has thrill, action, and excitement, and it is similar to what Pakistan batters produce - drama, thrill, and nervousness.
However, unlike the batters, Salman Agha praised his bowlers as the team restricted the Dutch side to a below-par total on a sporting wicket.
"They started really well, and we knew they would come hard at us. But I think we pulled things back nicely. On this pitch, 147-148 is a very good total, and our spinners played a big role. They’ve been bowling really well for the last six months, and once again they delivered today. Overall, it was a complete bowling performance."
How Pakistan batters fared against quality Netherlands attack
Chasing 148, the Pakistan opening duo of Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan started on an aggressive note as Ayub scored a quickfire 24, while his fellow partner scored 47 off 31 balls.
However, after their dismissal, Pakistan's batting crumbled like a pack of cards. Captain Salman Agha scored 12 off 8, while Babar Azam struggled as he only accumulated 15 off 18 balls. Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz, all departed cheaply as the team lost 5 quick wickets and were 7 down before Faheem resurrected their innings.
Win vs Netherlands helps Pakistan's Super 8 cause
Pakistan is set to boycott the India clash, and hence, they will play a game less, and as a result, their net run-rate will be affected. As a result, the win over the Netherlands has helped their Super 8 cause.
Considering that they are boycotting the India match, then in such a scenario, Pakistan will need to win their remaining two fixtures to qualify for the next round. Had Pakistan lost against the Dutch, their path towards the Super 8 would have become tricky.
