PAK vs NED

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 · 1st Match, Group A

Recent overs

Ov 18
011200626064104
33 runs
Ov 17
W00100
1 runs
Ov 16
10110W
3 runs
Ov 15
011011lb
4 runs

Commentary

That brings our coverage to an end between Netherlands vs Pakistan
Thanks for following along with us as more cricketing action awaits.
This is Shahan, signing off alongside Datrim and Pradeep. Goodbye.
Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan Captain) - We had to do the hard way, we restricted them well, 148 - I would take it any day. If you have some bad overs, the game can slip away from your grasp, but Faheem played a superb innings. We knew they would come hard, we pulled things well and I would have taken 147 on this pitch. Complete bowling performance, they';ve been doing well in the last 6 months. First 10 overs, we batted well, then we lost a couple of wickets, the pressure came in, we need to absorb it better, if we do that well, we'll be fine. It's not easy to start, but it's a good wicket to bat on. If someone gets in, he needs to take it deep and finish the game. That's something we couldn't do today, but that's something we've to do going forward.
Scott Edwards (Netherlands Captain)-I think we probably weren't at our best in all three departments honestly. credit to the boys for hanging in there. We just kept losing wickets at important times, couldn't build partnerships, 160+ would have given us a good chance, but we kept plugging away with the ball. Couple of spells from Rvd and van Meekeren brought us back into the game. Pretty good wicket, Pakistan were run-a-ball at one time (in the chase), Pauly then bowled a double wicket maiden, the boys kept fighting, but cricket can be a cruel game at times.
Pakistan edge past the Netherlands in a tense chase to seal a three-wicket victory.
Batting Highlights (Pakistan):
Sahibzada Farhan 47 (31) | Saim Ayub 24 (13) | Faheem Ashraf 29* (11)
Bowling Figures (Netherlands):
Paul van Meekeren 2/20 (4) | Aryan Dutt 2/33 (4) | Roelof van der Merwe 1/13 (3)

Chasing a modest target of 148, Pakistan got off to a brisk start through Sahibzada Farhan, who played positively at the top of the order to keep the required rate under control. Saim Ayub added momentum with a quick cameo, striking freely to put early pressure on the Dutch bowlers.

However, regular wickets through the middle overs kept the Netherlands in the contest, with Aryan Dutt and Paul van Meekeren striking at crucial moments to slow Pakistan’s progress. Brief contributions from Salman Agha and Babar Azam weren’t enough to fully settle the chase.

With the game delicately poised, Faheem Ashraf produced a calm and powerful finish, smashing an unbeaten 29 off just 11 deliveries to guide Pakistan home with three balls to spare. A nervy but successful chase sees Pakistan cross the line in 19.3 overs, sealing a hard-fought win.
Faheem Ahmed has changed the game on its head. Pakistan win by 3 wickets in a thriller of a game !
19.3 Bas de Leede to Faheem Ashraf, ALL OVER! FAHEEM SAVES PAKISTAN FROM AN EMBARRASSMENT! Back of a length ball outside off. Faheem frees his arms and hammers it away through extra cover region to draw Pakistan over the line in a tense run chase. 
19.2 Bas de Leede to Faheem Ashraf, slower ball bouncer around shoulder height. Ashraf swings but fails to make any contact with the bat.
19.1 Bas de Leede to Shaheen Afridi, back of a lenth ball on middle. Swung away to deep square leg for a single. 
WHAT AN OVER ! Faheem has changed the game for Pakistan as 3 Sixes and a Boundary come in the over. Giving Pakistan hope in this game . Only 5 runs needed now in the last 6 balls. 
18.6 Logan van Beek to Faheem Ashraf, FOUR! Pakistan are nearly there! Length ball outside off. Faheem looks to belt it hard through the off-side but gets an outside edge and the ball races away to the boundary for a four. Incredible ball-striking from Faheem!
18.5 Logan van Beek to Faheem Ashraf, SIX MORE! This game is swinging in Pakistan's favor! Length ball on off. Faheem gets across his stumps and clobbers it all the way over deep square leg for a monstrous six. 
18.4 Logan van Beek to Faheem Ashraf, nails his wide yorker right! Faheem is unable to get any bat on it. 
Faheem seems to be in superb touch at this point. 2 Sixes already in this over. 15 needed in 9 balls now.
18.3 Logan van Beek to Faheem Ashraf, SIX MORE! Faheem is brought the crowd to life! Overpitched delivery outside off. Faheem hangs back and launches it high and handsome over the bowler's head for a six. Straight as an arrow!
There seems to be discomfort in the hamstrings for one of the Dutch players. 
18.2 Logan van Beek to Faheem Ashraf, DROPPED! Low full toss outside off. Faheem looks to launch it down the ground but does not middle it well. Klein at long on does well to get around it, but fails to cling on and Pakistan get a vital life line!
Pakistan need big hits at this point!
18.1 Logan van Beek to Faheem, SIX! Some relief for Pakistan! Length ball on middle. Faheem swings hard at that one and gets plenty on it to deposit it over deep square leg for a six. 
17.6 Paul van Meekeren to Shaheen Afridi, another well-directed bumper around head height. Shaheen swings but is unable to get any bat on it. Netherlands are drying up the runs for Pakistan at an alarming rate!
17.5 Paul van Meekeren to Shaheen Afridi, short ball around leg stump line. Shaheen gives himself some room and tries to take a swipe but misses out.