Faheem’s late show spares Pakistan in the opening day thriller of World Cup
What should have been a regulation chase of 148 turned into a nightmare for the Men in Green as they collapsed from a comfortable position, only to be rescued by a late-inning cameo from Faheem Ashraf, who decimated the 19th over to secure the points with three balls to spare.
First Innings: The relay catch and Dutch grit
Opting to bowl, Pakistan’s attack looked sharp but struggled to fully extinguish the Dutch spirit. The highlight of the first half was undoubtedly the Babar Azam-Shaheen Afridi relay catch at the boundary to dismiss the dangerous Michael Levitt (24).
Dutch captain Scott Edwards (37 off 29) used the sweep shot to perfection, rebuilding the innings alongside Bas de Leede (30).
Netherlands lost momentum late, crumbling from 127/4 to 147 all out in 19.5 overs.
Part-time spinner Saim Ayub turned the tide with two wickets in a single over, while Abrar Ahmed (2/23) tightened the screws through the middle.
The chase: From cruise control to crisis
Pakistan’s chase began with the best intent. Saim Ayub (24 off 13) and Sahibzada Farhan (47 off 31) took Pakistan to 50 within 5 overs. However, once the spinners were introduced, the "Orange Army" roared back.
Pakistan slipped from 98/2 to 115/7.
Babar Azam (15) holed out to long-off against his old nemesis Roelof van der Merwe.
Entering the 19th over, Pakistan needed 29 runs off 12 balls.
Faheem to the rescue
In a do-or-die 19th over, Faheem Ashraf turned the match on its head against Logan van Beek.
6, 2 (Dropped!), 6, 0, 6, 4. A massive 24 runs came off the over, aided by a crucial dropped catch by Max O’Dowd.
With 5 needed in the final over, Faheem heaved a low full toss from Bas de Leede over the off-side infield to seal a nervous victory.
