Faheem Ashraf’s Explosive Batting Powers Pakistan to Thrilling 3-Wicket Win Over Netherlands in T20 World Cup Opener
Islamabad — Pakistan secured a thrilling victory in the ICC T20 World Cup opener, defeating the Netherlands by 3 wickets, thanks to a blazing innings by Faheem Ashraf. The high-stakes match was played in Colombo, with Pakistan chasing the target set by the Dutch team.
Pakistan’s innings began with Sahibzada Farhan and Saeem Ayub, but early wickets fell at 27 runs. Saeem Ayub scored 24 runs off 13 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six, before being dismissed. Captain Salman Ali Agha managed 12 runs at 53, falling to Aryan Dutt, while Sahibzada Farhan contributed 46 runs. Osman Khan was bowled for a duck, and both players were dismissed by Paul van Meekeren in the same over. Babar Azam was caught out in the next over by Van der Merwe.
With Pakistan seven wickets down, Faheem Ashraf came to the crease and played a scintillating knock, scoring 29 runs off just 9 balls with three sixes and two boundaries, steering Pakistan to its first World Cup win of the tournament.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and invited the Netherlands to bat first.
**Netherlands’ Innings:**
Michael Leut and Max O’Dowd opened for the Netherlands, providing an initial partnership of 28 runs. Max O’Dowd was the first to fall for 5 runs, dismissed by Salman Mirza, followed by Leut for 24 runs, dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz. Colin Ackermann scored 20 runs before being dismissed, while Bas de Leede contributed 30 runs.
Pakistan’s bowlers staged a remarkable comeback, taking the last six wickets for just 20 runs. Salman Mirza claimed three wickets, Saeem Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Nawaz took two wickets each, and Shaheen Afridi took one, leaving the Netherlands all out for 147. Netherlands captain Scott Edwards was the top scorer with 37 runs.
The victory marks a strong start for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, with Faheem Ashraf’s late heroics earning widespread praise from fans and cricket experts alike.
