KATHMANDU, Feb 7: Pakistan secured a hard-fought three-wicket victory over the Netherlands in the opening Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.
Chasing 148, Pakistan reached the target with three balls to spare, finishing on 147/7, with Faheem Ashraf sealing the win through an explosive unbeaten 29 off 11 balls, including two fours and three sixes, after the middle order had faltered.
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Opener Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 47 while Saim Ayub added 24. For the Netherlands, Aryan Dutt and Paul van Meekeren claimed two wickets each.
Earlier, the Netherlands were bowled out for 147 with one ball remaining in their 20 overs. Captain Scott Edwards scored 37, Bas de Leede made 30 and Michael Levitt contributed 24.
Pakistan bowler Salman Mirza starred with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 24 runs in 3.5 overs, while Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub picked up two wickets apiece.
