Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf shakes arms with Netherlands participant after their win within the ICC Twenty20 World Cup match in Colombo on February 7, 2026
| Picture Credit score: AP
All-rounder Faheem Ashraf admitted his coronary heart charge was fluctuating through the fag finish of Pakistan’s nervy yet successful run chase against the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup opener in Colombo on Saturday (February 7, 2026), however stated he was assured he “may take down no matter runs in a single over”.
Ashraf emerged as Pakistan’s hero, hammering an unbeaten 29 off simply 11 balls, together with two fours and three sixes, in a shocking late assault that sealed a dramatic three-wicket victory over the Netherlands.
“Now we have been taking part in this model of cricket for the previous 12 months. Coronary heart charges go up and down, it is occurred so many instances earlier than, we’re used to it,” the 32-year-old bowling all-rounder stated on the post-match presentation.
“Shaheen (Afridi) and I had been speaking about saving wickets, knew we may take down no matter in a single over.” Ashraf and Shaheen Afridi remained unseparated in a 34-run stand for the eighth wicket.
Chasing 148 for a win, Pakistan had been 90 for two on the midway stage however misplaced wickets in a heap as they had been 114 for 7 in 16.1 overs, needing 34 extra runs.
It seemed all however over for Pakistan at that stage however strolling in at No. 8, Ashraf, who was dropped on 7, had different plans.
Needing 29 runs from the final two overs, Ashraf hit three sixes and one 4 off Logan van Beek and completed off the match with a 4 within the closing over as Pakistan reached 148 for 7 in 19.3 overs.
Max O’Dowd dropped Ashraf when he was on seven within the second ball of the nineteenth over and that maybe value the Dutch the match.
“When the ball is within the air, you simply need the ball to land. Our effort is to complete the video games as early as attainable. However you need to maintain your nerve in these conditions,” stated Ashraf, who was named Participant of the Match.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha conceded that his crew gained the match the exhausting manner.
“Now we have to do it the exhausting manner. Credit score to Faheem. We tried properly, knew they’d come exhausting. Held issues very well,” stated Salman.
“(Whole) 147 we might tackle this pitch. Spinners have performed properly within the final six months. First 10 overs we batted properly, then two wickets fell and stress got here in. We have to soak up higher.” He stated the situations had been robust early on however eased as soon as he acquired set.
“As soon as a batter will get set, they should end the sport, did not do this at this time. Need to change that.”
Netherlands captain Scott Edwards admitted his aspect was not at its finest however lauded the gamers for the battle.
“Small moments can come on to harm you. We stored shedding wickets at vital instances. We felt 160 was going to provide us a good likelihood. We needed to bowl properly to provide us an opportunity. A few good performances from the bowlers stored us within the sport.
“It is a good wicket, Pakistan acquired it right down to run a ball, then we acquired a maiden and the boys jumped on the momentum.”
Printed – February 07, 2026 03:42 pm IST
