Faheem Ashraf Stars as Pakistan Edge Netherlands in T20 World Cup Thriller

Colombo, The Gulf Observer: Pakistan survived a dramatic late collapse to defeat the Netherlands by three wickets in a nail-biting T20 World Cup encounter, clinching victory with three balls to spare and keeping their qualification hopes firmly on track.

Chasing 148, Pakistan reached 148 for 7, with Sahibzada Farhan top-scoring with 47 and Faheem Ashraf producing a decisive unbeaten 29. Paul van Meekeren was the pick of the bowlers for the Netherlands, finishing with figures of 2 for 20, while Harmeet Singh Dutt claimed 2 for 33.

The match, part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, swung repeatedly in a tense final phase. Pakistan appeared comfortably placed at 98 for 2 after 11 overs, needing just 50 runs from nine overs. However, a double-wicket maiden by van Meekeren triggered a sudden collapse, with Pakistan managing only 21 runs between the 12th and 19th overs as five wickets fell. Captain Babar Azam, tasked with anchoring the chase, holed out during the slump as panic briefly gripped the batting side.

With the match slipping away, Faheem Ashraf emerged as the unlikely saviour. In the penultimate over, he capitalised on a crucial dropped catch by Max O’Dowd to plunder 24 runs, striking multiple sixes and swinging the momentum decisively back in Pakistan’s favour before finishing the game in the final over.

Earlier, the Netherlands posted 147 after being put in to bat, despite a promising start. Scott Edwards (37) and Bas de Leede (30) led the charge as the Dutch side reached 79 in the first ten overs—their highest powerplay total against Pakistan. However, disciplined bowling at the death proved decisive. Salman Mirza (3 for 24), Abrar Ahmed (2 for 23), Mohammad Nawaz (2 for 38), and Saim Ayub (2 for 7 in his only over) combined to restrict the Netherlands, who lost six wickets for 20 runs in the final four overs.

Pakistan’s fielding also played a key role, highlighted by an outstanding relay catch involving Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi to dismiss Michael Levitt early, setting the tone for a sharp display in the field.

Despite their late stumble with the bat, Pakistan’s narrow victory keeps them in contention for progression to the next round, while the Netherlands were left to rue missed chances and a costly finish after a spirited all-round performance.