COLOMBO – A fiery batting performance from Faheem Ashraf helped Pakistan clinched three-wicket win over Netherlands in final over of the opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Colombo on Saturday.
Pakistan achieved the target of 148 runs in 20th over as they suffered blows in middle overs after a strong start.
Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan gave a stellar start to Pakistan with their attacking strokeplay. While Saim fell to Aryan Dutt after a 13-ball stay during which he added 24 runs. Sahibzada’s smashing display improved Pakistan’s scoring rate further as they were well on track of their ask.
However, the Dutch struck back in the middle overs, picking three wickets across two overs. Paul van Meekeren struck twice in an over, sending back the dangerous Sahibzada Farhan just short of his fifty, before Roelof van der Merwe got rid off Babar Azam, who fell to a great catch from Kyle Klein.
Momentum soon swung in the Netherlands’ favour as a superb bowling spell saw Pakistan lose five wickets for just 16 runs. The equation tightened sharply, with 29 required off the final 12 deliveries.
At this moment, Faheem Ashraf held the nerves and mashed three sixes and two fours to secure victory for his side.
Earlier, Pakistan bowlers displayed an impressive performance, restricting the Netherlands from posting a big total in opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Colombo on Saturday.
The Netherlands made quick start with opener Michael Levitt scoring 24 runs while Salman Mirza managed to claim first wicket as he dismissed Max O’Dowd for five.
Bas De Leede made 30 runs while Scott Edwards remained top scorer with 37 as he tried to boost the total.
However, his dismissal by Abrar Ahmed landed the Netherlands in trouble as they lost quick wickets of tail order.
Salman Mirza grabbed three wickets while Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz took two wickets each.
The tournament runs from 7 February to 8 March, with the Super 8s beginning on 22 February, the semi-finals scheduled on 4 and 5 March.
Salman will be making his mega-event debut. So far, he has captained Pakistan in 43 T20Is, winning 27 of those.
🚨 TOSS & PLAYING XI 🚨
Pakistan win the toss and opt to bowl first against Netherlands 🏏
Our team for the first match of the ICC #T20WorldCup 2026 🇵🇰#PAKvNED | #BackTheBoysInGreen | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/4Y6mqLK2SY
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 7, 2026
Since the conclusion of the Asia Cup 2025, Green Shirts have played 13 T20Is, out of which, they have won 10, losing just three. Most recently, Pakistan registered their first-ever T20I clean sweep since 2018 over Australia in a three-match T20I series held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq
Netherlands: Scott Edwards (c), Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Michael Levitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, Max O’Dowd, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar
Pakistan v Netherlands T20 World Cup 2026 today: Broadcast, live streaming, live score details
