Source TOI
COLOMBO – In a heart-stopping opener to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan narrowly avoided a historic upset against the Netherlands, thanks to a sensational late-inning rescue by all-rounder Faheem Ashraf. What began as a comfortable chase turned into a nightmare collapse before Ashraf’s fireworks secured a three-wicket victory at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Saturday.
The Middle-Order Meltdown
Chasing a modest target of 148, Pakistan appeared to be in total control at 98/2 in the 11th over. Sahibzada Farhan (47) and Saim Ayub (24) had provided a solid platform, leaving the “Men in Green” needing just 50 runs from 54 balls.
However, the game turned on its head when Paul van Meekeren dismissed a well-set Farhan, followed immediately by Usman Khan for a duck. The pressure mounted as veteran Babar Azam (15) fell shortly after, sparking a dramatic collapse. Pakistan lost five wickets for just 16 runs, crumbling to 114/7 by the 17th over. With the specialist batters back in the pavilion and 29 runs still required off the final two overs, a Dutch victory seemed inevitable.
The 19th Over Drama
The match reached its boiling point in the penultimate over bowled by Logan van Beek. Faheem Ashraf, who had been struggling to find his timing, ignited the comeback with a massive six off the first ball.
The defining moment of the match followed: on the second delivery, Ashraf mis-timed a high skier toward long-on. Max O’Dowd, usually a reliable fielder, moved under the ball but inexplicably put down the regulation catch.
Given a second life, Ashraf unleashed carnage. He hammered two more sixes and a boundary in the same over, plundering 24 runs and effectively ending the Dutch resistance. Reflecting on the drop after the match, a relieved Ashraf admitted, “It wasn’t only my tongue that was praying; every part of my body was praying for that catch to be dropped.”
Crossing the Finish Line
With only five runs needed in the final over, Ashraf sealed the win with a lofted cover drive for four with three balls to spare, finishing unbeaten on 29 off just 11 deliveries.
Earlier in the day, the Netherlands had posted 147 all out. Captain Scott Edwards (37) and Bas de Leede (30) provided the bulk of the runs, but they were undone by a clinical Pakistan bowling performance, highlighted by a spectacular relay catch between Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi to dismiss Michael Levitt.
The Road Ahead
While Pakistan walks away with two crucial points, the narrow escape has raised urgent questions regarding their middle-order stability. For the Netherlands, it was a case of “so close yet so far,” as they were one caught ball away from recording one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history.
Final Score:
Netherlands: 147 All Out (19.5 overs)
Pakistan: 148/7 (19.3 overs)
Result: Pakistan won by 3 wickets.
