Faheem Ashraf’s boundary burst and decisive drop catch helped Pakistan avoid a shocking and potentially damaging defeat against the Netherlands and guide the 2009 champions to a tense three-wicket win in the opening match of the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan opted to boycott the match against India on February 15 in the wake of Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament, with particular emphasis on the remaining three matches in Group A as they aim to advance to the Super 8s.
Salman Ali Agha’s side fell from 98-2 to 114-7 in a chase of 148 in Colombo, needing 29 from the last 12 balls as the Netherlands, who defeated England and South Africa in the previous editions, look for another upset at the T20 World Cup.
But Faheem (29 no off 11) batted Logan van Beek’s 19 overs for 24, slamming three sixes, including two on either side that were shelled by Max O’Dowd at long-off, and slicing four to reduce the ask from the end to five runs.
Faheem had 29 hits off 11 balls against the Netherlands in Colombo.
Faheem then duly hit the winning boundary with a covers-three delivery in Bas de Lied’s final over and Pakistan avoided defeat ahead of their next Group A matches against the United States on Tuesday and Namibia on Wednesday, February 18.
Pakistan lost the last World Cup in 2024 to America in a super over, so the associate nations should not be taken lightly, especially after this horror against Netherlands.
Salman’s side had dispatched the Netherlands for 147 in 19.5 overs, thanks largely to left-arm quick Salman Mirza’s 3-24 and six wickets shared by spinners Saim Ayub (2-7), Abrar Ahmed (2-23) and Mohammad Nawaz (2-38).
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Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam pull off a stunning relay catch on the boundary line in their team’s win over the Netherlands
Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam combined for a brilliant relay catch on the boundary line, Nawaz removed Dutch opener Michael Levitt with 24 off 15 balls and captain Scott Edwards top-scored with 37 off 29 balls.
The Netherlands suffered a crushing 127-4 to 6-20 defeat and will play Namibia in Delhi next Tuesday.
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