T20 WC 2026: Pakistan Beat Netherlands by 3 Wickets in T20 World Cup 2026 Group A Clash
Faheem Ashraf's 24-run over seals Pakistan's 3-wicket chase of 148 against the Netherlands.
Pakistan opened their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a dramatic three-wicket victory over the Netherlands in the Group A opener on Saturday, powered by a late onslaught from all-rounder Faheem Ashraf. The match, played at the Sinhalese Sports Club, went down to the final over, setting the tone for a tightly contested tournament.
Batting first after being put in, the Netherlands were bowled out for 147 in 19.5 overs. Pakistan’s spinners played a decisive role in restricting the Dutch batting lineup, applying consistent pressure through the middle overs and preventing any substantial partnerships from developing. Despite brief resistance, the Netherlands was unable to accelerate at the death, leaving Pakistan a manageable but competitive target.
Pakistan’s chase, however, was far from straightforward. Regular wickets kept the Netherlands in the contest, with Pakistan slipping to 119 for seven and still needing 29 runs off the final two overs. The Dutch bowlers maintained discipline for most of the innings, capitalizing on early breakthroughs to keep the pressure firmly on the favorites.
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The turning point came in the 19th over when Faheem Ashraf launched a stunning counterattack against Logan van Beek. Ashraf struck three sixes and a boundary, plundering 24 runs in the over and dramatically shifting the momentum. His aggressive strokeplay reduced the equation to just five runs needed from the final over.
Keeping his composure under pressure, Faheem then struck a boundary in the last over to seal victory for Pakistan at 148 for seven in 19.3 overs. His late blitz proved decisive, rescuing Pakistan from a precarious position and earning them a crucial win in their opening match.
The thrilling finish underscored Pakistan’s resilience as well as the Netherlands’ growing competitiveness in global tournaments. While Pakistan will take confidence from their ability to close out tight games, the Netherlands can draw positives from pushing one of the tournament contenders to the brink in a high-intensity opener.
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