Pakistan began their T20 World Cup campaign with an exciting three-wicket win over the Netherlands in Colombo on Saturday. The Green Shirts chased a target of 148 runs in 19.3 overs, losing seven wickets along the way. Tail-ender Faheem Ashraf was the star of the match, hitting three sixes and two fours to score 29 crucial runs off just 11 balls.
The chase began well for Pakistan as Saim Ayub scored 24 runs before being dismissed in the third over. During the powerplay, Pakistan built momentum, reaching 65 runs in seven overs with Sahibzada Farhan contributing 47 runs. However, the team faced a mid-innings collapse, losing five wickets in four overs. Faheem Ashraf’s late assault secured the victory, giving Pakistan a strong start in the T20 World Cup.
Earlier, the Netherlands set a target of 148 runs. Despite contributions from several batsmen, they struggled to form partnerships as Pakistan’s bowlers dominated throughout their innings. Michael Levitt top-scored with 24 runs off 15 balls, while Bas de Leede added 30 runs off 25 balls. Captain Scott Edwards fought for 37 runs, but the lower order collapsed under pressure.
Salman Mirza was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking three wickets. Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Nawaz took two wickets each, while Shaheen Afridi claimed one. The Netherlands was bowled out for 147 runs in the final over, falling just short of the target.
This win gives Pakistan momentum as they look forward to the next T20 World Cup fixtures. The team’s balanced performance, led by strong batting and disciplined bowling, reassures fans of their championship ambitions. Key players to watch include Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Faheem Ashraf, whose performances could shape Pakistan’s journey in the tournament.
Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup includes Salman Ali Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Usman Khan (wk), and Usman Tariq.
In other news read more about: Babar Azam Stuns Fans with Unbelievable Boundary-Line Catch in T20 World Cup Opener
The thrilling victory over the Netherlands has set the tone for an exciting campaign in this year’s T20 World Cup, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
