Pakistan made a winning start to the T20 World Cup 2026 as they defeated Netherlands by three wickets on Saturday.
A sensational upset looked on the cards after another middle-order collapse, but Faheem Ashraf’s late heroics led the Green Shirts to victory.
Ashraf hit 29 off 11 deliveries with the help of two boundaries and three sixes.
Pakistan have no margin for error in the group stage after saying they will not play arch-rivals India on February 15 following government instructions.
They won the toss in the tournament’s opening game and elected to bowl first at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Pakistan managed to restrict their opponents to 147. The Flying Dutchmen were on course for a competitive total at the halfway mark, with captain Scott Edwards scoring 37 off 29.
However, their innings collapsed once Abrar Ahmed dismissed the Netherlands’ captain, as they ended up conceding six wickets in the final five overs.
Salman Mirza took three wickets, while Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub and Ahmed claimed two scalps each.
Pakistan made an explosive start, with Saim Ayub hitting three boundaries off three balls. He was dismissed for 24 after playing a poor shot off Aryan Dutt’s bowling.
Salman Ali Agha also fell victim to Dutt, who took the skipper’s wicket after conceding 15 runs off his first four deliveries.
Pakistan still remained in control, with Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam building a nice partnership.
Netherlands sparked hopes for a miracle comeback after Farhan, Usman Khan and Babar departed in the space of just two overs.
The required run rate quickly climbed up, and Pakistan lost Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan in two balls.
However, the Green Shirts had the last laugh after Faheem’s late heroics.
They will return to action on Tuesday when they face the United States at the same venue.
