- Pakistan chased 148 runs to win their first T20 World Cup match.
- Fahim Ashraf scored a quick 29 runs to rescue the team from a difficult situation.
- Salman Mirza took three wickets to help bowl out the Netherlands for 147.
Fahim Ashraf Plays a Heroic Knock
The match became intense when Pakistan found themselves in a difficult position, losing seven wickets for 114 runs. With the team facing potential defeat, Fahim Ashraf changed the momentum with a powerful performance. He scored an unbeaten 29 runs from just 11 deliveries, hitting crucial boundaries to guide Pakistan to safety. His aggressive batting under pressure ensured that Pakistan did not lose their opening fixture. Shaheen Afridi remained not out with 5 runs as the team crossed the finish line.
Top Performers in the Batting Department
Earlier in the chase, Sahibzada Farhan provided a solid foundation by scoring 47 runs, showing great control at the crease. Saim Ayub contributed 24 runs to the total, while Babar Azam made 15. Captain Salman Ali Agha added 12 runs. However, the middle order struggled as Shadab Khan scored 8, and both Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Khan were dismissed without scoring any runs. This collapse put the pressure on the lower order to complete the chase.
Netherlands Bowling Performance
The Netherlands bowlers put up a strong fight and managed to keep the game alive until the final over. Off-spinner Aryan Dutt and Paul van Meekeren each took two wickets, breaking key partnerships. Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, and Kyle Klein claimed one wicket each. Their disciplined line and length made it difficult for the Pakistani batsmen to score freely, especially after the dismissal of Sahibzada Farhan.
Netherlands Innings and Scorecard
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Netherlands team was bowled out for 147 runs in 19.5 overs. Captain Scott Edwards was the top scorer for his side with 37 runs, followed by Bas de Leede who made 30. Michael Levitt and Colin Ackermann scored 24 and 20 runs respectively. The Dutch side struggled to build a massive total as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals throughout their innings.
Pakistan Bowling Attack Shines
The Pakistani bowlers performed well to restrict the opposition to a manageable total. Salman Mirza was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets for the team. Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, and Ibrar Ahmed took two wickets each, showing the depth of the bowling attack. Shaheen Shah Afridi also contributed with one wicket to help dismiss the entire Netherlands lineup. The combined effort of the bowlers allowed Pakistan to keep the target below 150.
Impact of the Result
This win provides Pakistan with two valuable points in the opening match of the event. While the victory was achieved, the middle-order collapse remains an area of concern for the team management. However, the finishing ability of the lower order has given the fans confidence for the upcoming matches. Pakistan will now look to maintain this winning momentum as they face tougher opponents in the group stage. The performance of the bowlers and the late-order hitting are the main positives from this encounter at the Sinhalese Sports Complex.