Pakistan Overcomes Netherlands’ 147-Run Target in a Nail-Biting Match in Colombo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan defeated the Netherlands by 3 wickets in a thrilling ICC T20 World Cup 2026 opener, thanks to a blistering cameo from Faheem Ashraf.

The match, played in Colombo, saw Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub open for Pakistan. Ayub scored a quick 24 off 13 balls, hitting 4 fours and a six before being dismissed for 27. Captain Salman Ali Agha contributed 12 runs before Aryan Dutt claimed his wicket. Farhan made 46, while Usman Khan fell for a duck, both dismissed by Paul van Mackeren in the same over. Babar Azam was caught off the next over by Van der Murphy.

Later, Mohammad Nawaz (6) and Shadab Khan (8) fell cheaply. With Pakistan struggling at seven down, Faheem Ashraf played a match-turning knock, scoring 29 off 9 balls, including 3 sixes and 2 fours, guiding Pakistan to their first World Cup win.

Earlier, the Netherlands batted first after losing the toss. Openers Michael Luit (24) and Max O’Dowd (5) gave them a 28-run start. Bas de Leed scored 30, Scott Edwards 37, and Colin Ackerman 20. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Salman Mirza (3 wickets), Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed (2 each), and Shaheen Afridi (1), bowled out the Dutch team for 147, defending the total with a brilliant comeback by taking the last six wickets for just 20 runs.