Pakistan Vs Netherlands Highlights, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Faheem Ashraf Stars As PAK Beat NED By Three Wickets

Faheem Ashraf you beauty! Cameras pan to Max O'Dowd who scratches his head and will feel a miserable soul after that drop catch. Pakistan escape from jail thanks to Ashraf's late blitz. This has been a brilliant knock under-pressure but PAK dugout have a lot of work to do, before their next game.

PAK 148/7(19.3)

NED 147(19.5)

Pakistan won by 3 wickets

Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max ODowd, Bas de Leede, Zach Lion Cachet, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards(w/c), Noah Croes, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, Paul van Meekeren, Timm van der Gugten, Saqib Zulfiqar, Fred Klaassen

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha(c), Khawaja Nafay(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

All matches of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will be telecast on Star Sports in India. The Pakistan vs Netherlands clash will be telecast live on Star Sports channels in five languages - English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. Live streaming of Pakistan vs Netherlands will be available on JioStar app and website. The Pakistan vs Netherlands match starts at 11 AM IST.

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed.

Netherlands: Max O'Dowd, Michael Levitt, Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Scott Edwards (captain & wicketkeeper), Bas de Leede, Roelof van der Merwe, Saqib Zulfiqar, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen.

• Pakistan vs Netherlands – 11:00 AM IST

• West Indies vs Scotland – 3:00 PM IST

• India vs USA – 7:00 PM IST

Matches Played: 2
Pakistan Won: 2
Netherlands Won: 0
No Result: 0

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha has defended the action of off-spinner Usman Tariq.

“I don’t understand why we are talking about his action because in my opinion it is a fair action,” Salman told reporters. “He has been tested twice and he has been cleared. I think there is no problem in his action. Yes, he is the X factor of the team, and where we feel that we need an X factor, we will definitely use him.”

Pakistan (Playing XI): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

Netherlands (Playing XI): Michael Levitt, Max ODowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards(w/c), Zach Lion Cachet, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, Paul van Meekeren

Pakistan have won the toss and have opted to field.

Michael Levitt and Max O’Dowd are the crease for the Netherlands. Shaheen Shah Afridi will bowl first over.

What a rampant start from NED today! Who would have expected them to hammer Shaheen Shah Afridi for aplenty in the first few overs of the T20 World Cup match. PAK expected the pitch to misbehave but it has happened the opposite. Salman Ali Agha wears a worrisome look as Pakistan need some tight overs here.

NED 28-0(3 Overs)

After that early start, Pakistan have comeback in the contest with two wickets in successive overs. Both openers now back to the hut. Michael Levitt and Max O’Dowd are dismissed early and the Men in Green can smell blood now with new batters at the crease.

NED: 32-2 (4.4 Overs)

The two wickets have not disrupted the Netherlands' charge as they look to ramp up the pressure on the Pakistan bowling attack. Colin Ackermann and Bas de Leede are the crease and will look for the odd boundaries and some singles in between overs. Salman Ali Agha is trying various bowling combos but is unable to contain the flowing run rate.

NED 58-2 (7 Overs)

Halfway through the Netherlands innings, they are 79/3 and going nicely at 7.9 runs per over. Despite the three wickets, the Oranje are well placed for a decent score on this uneven track, that is good for batting but assisting the spinners as well. Abrar will be one to watch on this wicket, especially after striking in his first over.

NED 79-3 (10 Overs)

Pakistan bowlers are unable to restrict the Netherlands' batters here with some odd boundaries and misfields. Some of them look shaken given the Netherlands' fightback in Colombo. However, the Dutch do not have a World Class player in their lineup and this could be Pakistan's advantage in the death overs.

NED 94-3 (12 Overs)

Anything around 150-plus for the Dutch will be bonus as it will be a difficult chase for the Pakistan batters on this dicey wicket. Given how it is played, the ball will turn as we go in the latter end of the innings.

NED 112-4 (14 Overs)

Pakistan have an ace up their sleeve and his name is Abrar Ahmed. The finger spinner has two wickets and his spell has kept the Dutch at bay. The run rate might have crept higher if it hadn't been for the spinner. However, other PAK bowlers also need to chip in.

NED 127-5 (16 Overs)

Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed have turned things around for Pakistan with wickets in the death overs. The pitch is assisting the spinners and this will be a tough wicket to bat on but will need implication from the batter.

NED 139-7 (18 Overs)

Some great fightback from the Men In Green in the dying stages of the game as they have bowled out Netherlands for 147 in 19.5 Overs. Saim Ayub with two wickets as well as Salman Mirza who celebrates a three-for. Great bowling and fielding performance this from Pakistan who would fancy their chance on this track.

Three fours off Logan van Beek's over from Saim Ayub as Pakistan look to make the most of the powerplay. Placid conditions with the odd ball turning. But that is not a worry for Saim Ayub who is looking in terrifying form.

PAK 22-0 (2 Overs)

NED 147 (19.5 Overs Overs)

Saim Ayub had to walk back early as the southpaw ended up giving away his wicket to Netherlands. Aryan Dutt has the final laugh as he sends back the power-hitter and gives NED a breakthrough in the powerplay.

PAK 38/1 (4 Overs)

NED 147 (19.5 Overs)

PP done and dusted and Netherlands have two wickets including the PAK captain Salman Ali Agha. Despite racking up 61 runs in six overs, few wickets more and Netherlands could sniff a victory perhaps. PAK batters need a safe passage of play to secure victory.

PAK 61/2 (6 Overs)

NED 147 (19.5 Overs)

With 11 overs to go, the Men In Green are on track for a superb victory unless there's a flurry of wickets. Sahibzada Farhan is batting beautifully and is given ample support by Babar Azam. This game is Pakistan's to lose from here.

PAK 81/2 (9 Overs)

NED 147 (19.5 Overs)

Well, well! Pakistan always give a chance and they have done just that with a double-wicket blow from Paul van Meekeren. The Dutch bowler has sent back the in-form Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Khan.

PAK 98/4 (12 Overs)

NED 147 (19.5 Overs)

Out of no where, Pakistan have lost three wickets for two runs and find themselves 102/5 in 13 overs. This should have been an easy chase but the Men In Green have made it a difficult one, and allowed NED back in the contest. The Dutch know how to upset the odds on the first game of the T20 WC, in 2009. Netherlands beat England by 4 wickets to stun the English.

Nails being bitten by both sets of fans as this match heads to a close finish in Colombo. Five wickets down and Pakistan need under 30 runs to win, it's anybody's game from here. A bit of mistake or an error from the player could hand the initiative.

PAK 111/5 (15 Overs)

NED 147 (19.5 Overs)

Wow! How the tables have turned in Colombo! The Men In Green are staring at a defeat and one that is of their own doing. Poor batting and lack of aggression has led them to 115/7 and the run rate climbing to 10 runs per over.

PAK 115/7 (17 Overs)

NED 147 (19.5 Overs)

Faheem Ashraf has brought PAK back in the game and the dropped catch has cost the Dutch dearly. 24 runs and that could be the game for the Men In Green. PAK dugout looks pumped, wasn't that way few overs ago.

PAK 143/7 (18 Overs)

NED 147 (19.5 Overs)