Pakistan Edge Netherlands in Thrilling T20 World Cup Opener

Pakistan began their T20 World Cup campaign with a narrow and hard-fought win over the Netherlands in Colombo, securing victory by three wickets in a match that stayed uncertain until the final moments.

Chasing a target of 148, Pakistan looked comfortable at one stage but suffered a sudden collapse that nearly handed the Netherlands a memorable upset. A late burst of aggressive hitting from Faheem Ashraf ultimately guided Pakistan across the line with just three balls remaining.

Netherlands Post Competitive Total

After being asked to bat first, the Netherlands put together a determined performance and were bowled out for 147 in 19.5 overs.

Captain Scott Edwards led from the front with a composed 37 off 20 balls, while the top order showed early intent. Michael Levitt provided a brisk start with 24 off 15 deliveries, and Bas de Leede added a steady 30 from 25 balls to maintain momentum.

At one stage, the Netherlands looked well placed to set a challenging total, reaching 105 for three. However, their innings lost direction late on as Pakistan’s bowlers struck repeatedly.

Salman Mirza was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with figures of 3 for 24. Support came from Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, and Saim Ayub, who chipped in with key wickets as the Netherlands lost their final six batters for just 20 runs.

Pakistan’s Strong Start Turns Into Sudden Collapse

Pakistan’s chase began confidently, anchored by Sahibzada Farhan’s fluent 47 off 31 balls. With the scoreboard reading 98 for two, the target appeared well within reach.

But the game shifted dramatically in a short span. Pakistan slipped from 98 for two to 114 for seven, losing wickets in quick succession as the Netherlands tightened their bowling and applied pressure.

Roelof van der Merwe and Paul van Meekeren delivered disciplined spells, forcing mistakes and bringing the Netherlands firmly back into the contest.

With 29 runs required from the final two overs, Pakistan faced the real possibility of an opening-match defeat.

Faheem Ashraf’s Late Heroics Seal the Win

Just when the match seemed to tilt away, Faheem Ashraf stepped up with a fearless cameo. His unbeaten 29 from only 11 balls turned the game around.

Ashraf targeted the penultimate over, striking three sixes and a boundary to shift momentum back in Pakistan’s favor. The Netherlands had a chance to dismiss him earlier, but a dropped catch proved costly at a crucial stage.

Needing just a few runs in the final over, Ashraf kept his composure and struck a boundary to bring the chase to a successful end, ensuring Pakistan crossed the line with three balls to spare.

A Match That Stayed on Edge

The contest remained tense until the very end. Pakistan’s middle-order collapse and the Netherlands’ disciplined bowling made it a closely fought encounter.

A late missed opportunity in the field and some pressure in the closing overs allowed Pakistan to recover, but the match served as a reminder of how competitive T20 cricket can be, especially on the global stage.

For the Netherlands, the performance highlighted their growing strength and ability to challenge top teams.

Key Performances

Pakistan

• Faheem Ashraf: 29* (11)

• Sahibzada Farhan: 47 (31)

• Salman Mirza: 3–24

Netherlands

• Scott Edwards: 37 (20)

• Bas de Leede: 30 (25)

• Tight bowling spells in middle overs

What This Means Going Forward

While Pakistan secured the win, the match exposed areas that require improvement, particularly in handling pressure during run chases.

For the Netherlands, the narrow loss will still be seen as a positive performance. Competing closely against a strong side in a World Cup opener sends a clear message about their progress in international cricket.

As the tournament continues, both teams will look to build on this match and strengthen their positions in the group standings.