Colombo, 07 February (H.S.): Pakistan averted a shocking upset in their ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 opener on Saturday, edging out a resilient Netherlands by three wickets at Sinhalese Sports Club, thanks to all-rounder Fahim Ashraf's clutch 19th-over onslaught and match-winning boundary.

Opting to field after losing the toss, Pakistan restricted Netherlands to 147 all out in 19.5 overs after a promising start: Michael Levitt's explosive 24 off 15 anchored a powerplay 50/2, with Scott Edwards (37) and Bas de Leede (30) propelling to 79/3 by the 10th and 123/4 by the 15th, hinting at 170-plus.

Spinners' Stranglehold Triggers Collapse

Pakistan's spinners orchestrated a stunning reversal: Abrar Ahmed (2/23) and Saim Ayub (2/7) dismantled the lower order, claiming the final six wickets for mere 20 runs as Netherlands imploded.

Chasing 148, Pakistan surged to 98/2 fueled by Saim Ayub's early three boundaries and Sahibzada Farhan's stylish 47 off 31. Drama ensued with three quick blows—Farhan, Usman Khan, Babar Azam—for two runs, slumping to 105/5, then 114/7 after Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan fell.

Needing 29 off two overs, Ashraf plundered 24 in Logan van Beek's 19th—sixes and fours flipping momentum—before smashing the third ball of the final over for victory. Relief swept Pakistan amid their pre-tournament boycott threat over an India group clash.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar