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- Pakistan vs Netherlands highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Faheem Ashraf unleashes sixes as Pakistan beat Netherlands by 3 wickets in Colombo
Pakistan vs Netherlands highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Faheem Ashraf unleashes sixes as Pakistan beat Netherlands by 3 wickets in Colombo
Asked to bat, the Netherlands made a promising start but lost momentum in the latter half of their innings to be bowled out for 147 in 19.5 overs. Michael Levitt set the tone early with a brisk 24 off 15 balls, while Bas de Leede (30) and Scott Edwards (37) provided stability through the middle overs. However, Pakistan’s bowlers struck at regular intervals to prevent the Dutch from accelerating at the death.
Salman Mirza was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3 for 24, while Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with two wickets apiece. Saim Ayub’s surprise spell also proved effective, as Pakistan ensured the Netherlands never truly broke free after posting 50 in the Powerplay.
In response, Pakistan raced out of the blocks through Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan. Ayub’s 24 off 13 and Farhan’s fluent 47 off 31 had Pakistan cruising at 98 for 2, firmly in control of the chase. But what followed was a familiar wobble. Paul van Meekeren produced a sensational double-wicket maiden, removing Farhan and Usman Khan, before Roelof van der Merwe dismissed Babar Azam to leave Pakistan reeling.
The middle order struggled to regain momentum as Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz fell in quick succession, tilting the match decisively towards the Netherlands. With pressure mounting and the asking rate climbing, Faheem Ashraf took matters into his own hands.
In the 19th over, Ashraf launched Logan van Beek for three sixes and a four in a breathtaking assault that turned the game on its head. A dropped catch only added to the drama as the all-rounder powered Pakistan to the brink. He finished unbeaten on 29 off just 11 balls, earning the Player of the Match award.
Despite standout bowling efforts from van Meekeren (2/20) and Aryan Dutt (2/33), the Netherlands fell just short. Pakistan, bruised but victorious, walked away with two crucial points to start their World Cup journey.
Runs: 71
Balls: 42
SR: 169.04
Bnd%: 26.2
4s/6s: 7/4
Paul van Meekeren to Sahibzada Farhan, Slower one, around middle and off, Sahibzada Farhan flicks this a bit too hard, straight to mid on. Loud call of no from Farhan straightaway.
Paul van Meekeren to Babar Azam, Short and on off, Babar Azam pulls this in front of square on leg towards deep mid-wicket for a single. This chase is tailor-made for someone like Babar who brings assurance to the crease more than strike rate.
Paul van Meekeren to Sahibzada Farhan, Good length on middle and off, Sahibzada Farhan pushes this to the left of mid on and rotates the strike.
Paul van Meekeren to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Punched down the ground. Pitched up, around middle and off, Sahibzada Farhan stays deep inside the crease and muscles this past the bowler to his right for a boundary. This was loading after a quiet last over.
- Babar Azam 3 (7)
- Sahibzada Farhan 26 (14)
Roelof van der Merwe to Babar Azam, Another one flighted from Roelof van der Merwe, around off. Babar Azam uses his feet and dances down the track. Bumps this back to the bowler. A crowd catch from Roelof.
Roelof van der Merwe to Babar Azam, Full and on off, Babar Azam pushes this a bit too close to extra cover and settles for a dot.
Roelof van der Merwe to Sahibzada Farhan, Pushed through on off, Sahibzada Farhan smashes this to the left of long off and takes a run.
Roelof van der Merwe to Babar Azam, Flighted, on off. Babar Azam gets right on top of the bounce and rolls this to long off for another strike rotation.
Roelof van der Merwe to Sahibzada Farhan, Floated around off, Sahibzada Farhan rocks back and punches this through the left of extra cover for a single.
Roelof van der Merwe to Babar Azam, Flighted around middle and leg, Babar Azam flicks this through mid-wicket for one.
DRINKS! After the Powerplay, Netherlands were 50/2, so Pakistan are ahead in terms of runs. They do not have to take many risks, as there is no pressure of the asking rate, but looking at their approach, it looks like they want to chase this target as soon as possible, because NRR may play a big role later in the tournament. The Dutch need wickets as only that currency can get them back in this game. Scott Edwards has introduced Roelof van der Merwe to bowl after the break.
- Sahibzada Farhan 24 (12)
- Babar Azam 1 (3)
Logan van Beek to Sahibzada Farhan, Good length, going down the leg, Sahibzada Farhan misses out on a flick and gets rapped on the pads. 61/2 after Powerplay!
Logan van Beek to Babar Azam, Missed run out chance! Back of a length around middle and leg, Babar Azam dabs this around covers and calls for one. Sahibzada Farhan runs straightaway but even that wouldn't have been good enough had the throw from Bas de Leede hit the stumps at the striker's end. That would have been a massive wicket for the Dutch.
Logan van Beek to Babar Azam, Back of a length around off, Babar Azam looks to cut this off his back foot but misses.
Logan van Beek to Sahibzada Farhan, Excellent effort from the Dutch pacer to save three runs for his side. Short and on off, Sahibzada Farhan punches this crisply towards the left of mid on and a diving effort to his left from Kyle Klein saves three for the Netherlands.
After opting to bowl first and dismissing the Netherlands inside 20 overs, Pakistan’s openers came out with clear intent. Saim Ayub set the early tempo, striking 24 off just 13 balls, peppering the boundary with four fours and a six. His aggressive approach put the Dutch bowlers under immediate pressure, even though Aryan Dutt eventually broke through to remove him in the third over.
Sahibzada Farhan, at the other end, has looked equally fluent. Batting on 17 off 8 deliveries, Farhan mixed timing with intent, ensuring the scoring rate never dipped despite wickets at the other end. Captain Salman Agha provided a brief burst of momentum, smashing 12 off 8 balls with three crisp boundaries before becoming Dutt’s second victim at the end of the fifth over.
Pakistan briefly had a moment of nerves when Babar Azam walked in and was yet to get off the mark after facing a single delivery, but with plenty of depth still to come, the chase remains firmly under control. At 53 for 2, Pakistan need 95 runs from 90 balls, with Usman Khan, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz waiting in the wings.
The Netherlands bowlers, led by Aryan Dutt’s 2 for 29, managed to claw back some control, but Pakistan’s strong start has tilted the balance decisively in their favour.
Logan van Beek to Sahibzada Farhan, SIX! That has been flicked up and over the fence for a biggie. Full and drifting down leg, Sahibzada Farhan leans inside the line and just whips at it with fast hands to flick this over the fence towards deep square leg for a biggie.
Logan van Beek to Sahibzada Farhan, Good length, angling into the batter, Sahibzada Farhan dances down the track and gets cramped for any sort of room. Ends up getting hit around the thigh pad.
- Babar Azam 0 (1)
- Sahibzada Farhan 17 (8)
Aryan Dutt to Babar Azam, Short once more, outside off, Babar Azam steers it away to point.
Babar Azam walks out to replace his skipper in the middle.
Aryan Dutt to Salman Agha, OUT! CAUGHT! Aryan Dutt gets the revenge. He bowls this slower through the air this time, full and outside off. Salman Agha backs away again to go over covers, but has to reach out for it. He ends up slicing it off the outer half of the bat straight to extra cover, where Michael Levitt crouches and reverse cups it nicely. Pakistan lose their skipper, and are 53/2 now. 95 runs needed in 91 balls.
Aryan Dutt to Salman Agha, FOUR! Pleasing to the eye! Aryan Dutt bowls this quicker and shorter, just around off. Salman Agha makes a bit of room, gets on top of it and smacks it past the diving cover-point fielder for another boundary. 50 UP FOR PAKISTAN!
Aryan Dutt to Sahibzada Farhan, Short again and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan moves back and swats it to long on for a single.
Aryan Dutt to Sahibzada Farhan, SIX! Even better and bigger now! Tossed up, full and on off, Sahibzada Farhan goes down on one knee. He does not quite get to the pitch of it, but reaches out and hoicks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen of runs.
Aryan Dutt to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Top shot! Aryan Dutt bowls this short and outside off. Sahibzada Farhan uses the width on offer, backs away and cuts it away powerfully through point for a boundary.
- Salman Agha 8 (6)
- Sahibzada Farhan 6 (5)
Kyle Klein to Salman Agha, Pitched up and just outside off, Salman Agha tries to reach out for it but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls beside the stumps. There is a bit of a mix-up between the batters, and they decide against the run in the end. However, Agha does not look happy with his partner here.
Kyle Klein to Salman Agha, On a length and on off, Salman Agha opens the face of his bat and steers it away towards point.
Kyle Klein to Salman Agha, FOUR MORE! Nice shot! Kyle Klein bangs this into the pitch, but not short enough to trouble the batter. Salman Agha expects that length, hangs back on the back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket for another boundary.
Kyle Klein to Salman Agha, FOUR! That is a beautiful shot! Good length and on middle and off. Salman Agha uses his feet, stays leg side of the ball and drives it crisply on the up through covers for a boundary.
Kyle Klein to Sahibzada Farhan, Full again and on the pads, Sahibzada Farhan flicks it and finds the gap at mid-wicket. The fielder from deep square leg runs to his left to cut it out. The batters have enough time to take the third run.
Just one over for Logan van Beek (1-0-13-0) as Kyle Klein replaces him in the attack.
Kyle Klein to Sahibzada Farhan, Fuller and on middle, angling in, Sahibzada Farhan tucks it away straight to short mid-wicket.
- Salman Agha 0 (2)
- Sahibzada Farhan 3 (3)
Aryan Dutt to Salman Agha, Agha shimmies before the ball is released by Dutt and the bowler is clever enough to drag his length back and bowl at a quicker pace on off. Salman Agha ends up blocking this to covers.
Aryan Dutt to Salman Agha, Pushed through around off, Salman Agha pokes at it and gets it edged to short third.
After his recent success at 3, Salman Agha walks out to bat next for Pakistan.
Aryan Dutt to Saim Ayub, OUT! TAKEN! Aryan Dutt gets his man and Netherlands get the big breakthrough here. This is floated, full and on middle and leg. Saim Ayub goes for the no-look shot across the line, but there was no need for that shot. He mistimes it off the outer half of the bat, straight up in the air. Roelof van der Merwe at mid on, backtracks a bit, settles under it and takes a good catch. Ayub walks back for 24 off 13 and Pakistan are 27/1, chasing 148 runs.
Aryan Dutt to Saim Ayub, Flatter, shorish and on off, Saim Ayub stabs it out to short cover.
Aryan Dutt to Saim Ayub, FOUR! Great timing and placement! Aryan Dutt drops it short and just on off. Saim Ayub moves on the back foot and punches it. He does not try to hit it too hard just places it between cover and point for a boundary.
Change of bat for Sahibzada Farhan. While playing the previous stroke, Farhan might have just broken the bottom of his bat and he has now changed the willow.
Aryan Dutt to Sahibzada Farhan, Tossed up, full and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan goes down and slogs it to wide long on for a single.
- Saim Ayub 20 (10)
- Sahibzada Farhan 2 (2)
Logan van Beek to Saim Ayub, Touch fuller and around off, Saim Ayub strides out and pushes it to extra cover. 13 from the over and Pakistan have raced to 22 in no time.
Logan van Beek to Saim Ayub, Short and wide of off, Saim Ayub connects this well enough but fails to beat cover-point.
Logan van Beek to Saim Ayub, FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries! Logan van Beek errs in line again and serves this full, on the pads. Saim Ayub plays the pick-up shot again and whips it over mid-wicket for four more runs.
Logan van Beek to Saim Ayub, FOUR! Up and over! Short of a legnth and outside off, Saim Ayub gets the chance to free his arms and crunches the cut over point for another boundary.
Logan van Beek to Saim Ayub, FOUR! Put away! Fuller delivery, but angling into the pads. Saim Ayub picks it up and flicks it away with excellent timing through square leg for a boundary.
Logan van Beek to Sahibzada Farhan, Logan van Beek begins with a full delivery, on middle, Sahibzada Farhan drills it to the left of mid on, where the fielder dives but fumbles. A single taken.
Pace from the other end as Logan van Beek will be bowling alongside Aryan Dutt.
- Saim Ayub 8 (5)
- Sahibzada Farhan 1 (1)
Aryan Dutt to Saim Ayub, Flatter, full and around off, Saim Ayub drives it wide of long off for a brace. 9 runs off the first over!
Aryan Dutt to Saim Ayub, A shout for LBW, but turned down! Quicker, shortish and on off, Saim Ayub looks to work it across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads.
Asked to bat, the Netherlands made a promising start but lost momentum in the latter half of their innings to be bowled out for 147 in 19.5 overs. Michael Levitt set the tone early with a brisk 24 off 15 balls, while Bas de Leede (30) and Scott Edwards (37) provided stability through the middle overs. However, Pakistan’s bowlers struck at regular intervals to prevent the Dutch from accelerating at the death.
Salman Mirza was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3 for 24, while Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with two wickets apiece. Saim Ayub’s surprise spell also proved effective, as Pakistan ensured the Netherlands never truly broke free after posting 50 in the Powerplay.
In response, Pakistan raced out of the blocks through Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan. Ayub’s 24 off 13 and Farhan’s fluent 47 off 31 had Pakistan cruising at 98 for 2, firmly in control of the chase. But what followed was a familiar wobble. Paul van Meekeren produced a sensational double-wicket maiden, removing Farhan and Usman Khan, before Roelof van der Merwe dismissed Babar Azam to leave Pakistan reeling.
The middle order struggled to regain momentum as Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz fell in quick succession, tilting the match decisively towards the Netherlands. With pressure mounting and the asking rate climbing, Faheem Ashraf took matters into his own hands.
In the 19th over, Ashraf launched Logan van Beek for three sixes and a four in a breathtaking assault that turned the game on its head. A dropped catch only added to the drama as the all-rounder powered Pakistan to the brink. He finished unbeaten on 29 off just 11 balls, earning the Player of the Match award.
Despite standout bowling efforts from van Meekeren (2/20) and Aryan Dutt (2/33), the Netherlands fell just short. Pakistan, bruised but victorious, walked away with two crucial points to start their World Cup journey.
Match Statistics
Venue
Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
