Ashraf's late flurry powers Pakistan to nervy T20 World Cup win
Ashraf's late flurry powers Pakistan to nervy T20 World Cup win
Faheem Ashraf blasts 29 off 11 to seal a dramatic three-wicket victory for Pakistan over the Netherlands in Colombo’s T20 World Cup opener.
In a rollercoaster start to Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign, Faheem Ashraf delivered when it mattered most, hammering an unbeaten 29 off 11 balls to propel his side to a three-wicket win over the Netherlands in Colombo. The innings had looked perilous at 114 for 7 in 16.1 overs after a brutal middle-order collapse, but Ashraf and a stubborn rescue mission refused to fold.
The chase began with Pakistan cruising at 90 for 2 at the halfway mark, only for a dramatic slide as wickets tumbled in quick succession. The Dutch fielders crept closer to snatching the game away, but Ashraf, walking in at No. 8, steadied the ship with careful hits and fearless power in the dying overs. His late assault included three sixes and a four off Logan van Beek in the 19th over, turning a precarious situation into a match-winning finish as Pakistan reached 148 for 7 in 19.3 overs.
The turning moment arrived when Max O'Dowd dropped Ashraf on seven in the second ball of the 19th over, a miss that proved costly for the Netherlands. Narrating the nerve-wracking chase, Ashraf said the team has grown accustomed to high-pressure situations, joking that heart rates go up and down but the plan remains to finish games as early as possible. He was named Player of the Match for his bludgeoning finish and the calm presence he provided at the death.
Earlier, Shaheen Afridi stood out with a crucial 34-run stand with Ashraf for the eighth wicket, giving Pakistan a fighting chance after a promising start had slipped away. The win, described by many as the team doing it the hard way, offers a strong start to Pakistan’s World Cup campaign and sets a tone of resilience for a side known for its capacity to rally under pressure.
