Pakistan Survive Dutch Scare in T20 World Cup Thriller, Win by 3 Wickets
In a heart-stopping opening match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan narrowly escaped a potential upset against a determined Netherlands side, securing a tense three-wicket victory at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Saturday. The 2009 champions were pushed to the brink before all-rounder Faheem Ashraf delivered a match-winning performance in the final overs.
Netherlands Post Competitive Total After Early Promise
After being asked to bat first, the Netherlands adopted an aggressive approach from the outset. Opening batsman Michael Levitt provided early fireworks with a quickfire 24 runs off just 15 deliveries, including one massive six, before falling to Pakistani spinner Mohammd Nawaz, who finished with figures of 2/38 in his four overs.
The Dutch innings appeared to be building momentum steadily, reaching 79/3 at the halfway mark and 123/4 after 15 overs. Captain Scott Edwards contributed a solid 37 runs, while Bas de Leede added 30, seemingly setting the stage for a challenging total approaching 170 runs.
However, the match took a dramatic turn when Pakistani spinners Abrar Ahmed (2/23) and Saim Ayub (2/7) triggered a spectacular collapse. The Netherlands lost their final six wickets for a mere 20 runs, collapsing to 147 all out in 19.5 overs. Salman Mirza was particularly effective in cleaning up the tail, finishing with impressive figures of 3/24.
Pakistan's Chase Turns Dramatic
Pakistan's pursuit of the 148-run target began promisingly with Saim Ayub hammering a hat-trick of boundaries in just the second over. Opening partner Sahibzada Farhan looked in sublime touch, blasting 47 runs off only 31 balls. At 98/2, victory appeared to be a mere formality for the experienced Pakistani side.
What followed was a passage of play that will be remembered throughout the tournament. Pakistan suffered a catastrophic collapse, losing three crucial wickets for just two runs. Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, and captain Babar Azam fell in quick succession, leaving the team reeling at 105/5 in the 13th over.
The Dutch bowlers, led by Paul van Meekeren and Aryan Dutt, tightened their grip on the match as Pakistan slipped further to 114/7, with Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan also returning to the pavilion.
Faheem Ashraf's Heroic Finish
With 29 runs needed from just 12 balls and only three wickets remaining, the match seemed destined for a stunning Dutch victory. Enter Faheem Ashraf, who produced one of the most remarkable finishes in recent T20 World Cup history.
The all-rounder smashed 24 runs in the penultimate over bowled by Logan van Beek, completely shifting the momentum. Ashraf then sealed the victory with a boundary off the third ball of the final over, securing Pakistan's first points of the tournament and sparing them from what would have been a shocking defeat.
Relief for Pakistan Amid Controversy
Despite the scare, Pakistan will be relieved to begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a victory, particularly given the controversy surrounding their announced boycott of the group-stage match against India. The narrow win highlights both the team's resilience under pressure and the growing competitiveness of associate nations like the Netherlands in global cricket tournaments.
The match served as a reminder that in the fast-paced world of T20 cricket, no victory can be taken for granted, and even established cricketing powerhouses must fight until the final ball against determined opponents.
