Pakistan survived a major scare to avoid a shock defeat against the Netherlands in their opening match of the T20 World Cup, scraping to a nervy three-wicket win in Colombo on Saturday.

Chasing a modest target of 148, Pakistan collapsed from a comfortable 98-2 to 114-7, leaving them needing 29 runs from the final two overs as the Netherlands threatened another World Cup upset. Faheem Ashraf’s late hitting, aided by a crucial dropped catch, ultimately guided Pakistan home with three balls to spare.

The pressure on Pakistan has been heightened after their decision to boycott the February 15 group match against India, making victories in their remaining Group A fixtures vital for qualification to the Super 8 stage.

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Faheem’s late surge turns the game

With Pakistan wobbling, Faheem Ashraf counterattacked in the 19th over, smashing Logan van Beek for 24 runs, including three sixes and a four. He was dropped at long-off by Max O’Dowd during the onslaught, a miss that proved decisive.

Faheem finished unbeaten on 29 off 11 balls and sealed the win by driving the winning boundary off Bas de Leede in the final over.

Netherlands threaten another upset

Earlier, the Netherlands were bowled out for 147 with one ball remaining after being put in to bat at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. The Dutch innings was built on a steady start, reaching 100 in the 13th over, before collapsing in the closing stages as they lost six wickets for 20 runs in the final four overs.

Despite the modest total, the Netherlands produced a spirited bowling display and came close to repeating past T20 World Cup upsets over England and South Africa.

Pakistan next face the United States on Tuesday before taking on Namibia on February 18, with little margin for error as they aim to progress in the tournament.