Kamal Ghorui
Faheem Ashraf produced a stunning late cameo to rescue Pakistan from the brink, smashing an unbeaten 29 off just 11 balls to script a dramatic three-wicket win over the Netherlands in their T20 World Cup opener on Saturday.Chasing 148, Pakistan appeared well on course at 90 for 2 at the halfway mark before suffering a dramatic collapse that saw them slide to 114 for 7 in 16.1 overs, still needing 34 runs. With momentum firmly with the Netherlands, the contest seemed all but decided—until Ashraf turned the game on its head.
Dropped on seven in the 19th over by Max O’Dowd, Ashraf made the Dutch pay heavily. Needing 29 from the final two overs, he launched Logan van Beek for three towering sixes and a four, before sealing the chase with a boundary in the penultimate over as Pakistan finished on 148 for 7 with three balls to spare.Pakistan’s build-up to the tournament had been dominated by off-field issues following their board’s decision to boycott the marquee February 15 clash against India, despite a recent 3-0 home T20I series win over a depleted Australia. At the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground—hosting its first T20I since 2010—the 2009 champions laboured but ultimately found a way through.Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 47 off 31 balls, while opener Saim Ayub added a brisk 24 off 13. However, senior batter Babar Azam struggled for fluency, managing 15 off 18 balls, and captain Salman Agha made 12 off eight.From a comfortable 98 for 2 after 11 overs, Pakistan unravelled rapidly. Paul van Meekeren struck twice in the 12th over, dismissing Farhan and Usman Khan, before Babar fell in the following over. In a stunning passage, Pakistan lost three wickets for just two runs in 10 balls to slump to 100 for 5. Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan followed soon after, tightening the noose further.Earlier, the Netherlands showed promise after being sent in to bat, reaching 50 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay and 79 for 3 at halfway. A 40-run stand between captain Scott Edwards (37 off 29) and Bas de Leede (30 off 25) put them on course for a bigger total.However, Pakistan’s bowlers pulled things back expertly. Salman Mirza led the attack with 3 for 24, while Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed struck crucial blows in the middle overs. From 105 for 3, the Dutch slipped to 129 for 7 as wickets fell in clusters. Saim Ayub’s off-spin then finished the job, removing Logan van Beek and Zach Lion-Cachet in quick succession as the Netherlands were bowled out for 147 in 19.5 overs.In the end, Ashraf’s late blitz proved decisive, sparing Pakistan blushes in a match that swung wildly until the final moments.
