T20 World Cup: Ashraf drags Pakistan over the line after big scare

The T20 World Cup started off with a heartstopper of a finish as Pakistan secured, then threw away, and finally clinched a thrilling last-over win, warding off a heroic Netherlands fightback.

Faheem Ashraf was more saviour than hero, riding his luck to smash 24 in the game’s penultimate over having survived a dropped chance, and finishing the game off with three balls to go.

The three-wicket win keeps them on course for qualification to the next round, even as it seemed nine balls earlier that they were destined for another early exit.

Pakistan were well on course for victory at the halfway mark of the chase, needing 50 in nine overs, before Paul van Meekeren struck with a double-wicket maiden, and Pakistan collapsed under the weight of the slightest pressure.

Babar Azam, who needed only to anchor with the chase under a-run-a-ball, found himself slogging aimlessly and holing out to Roelof van der Merwe, and run-scoring amnesia took hold – just 21 were made in the seven overs between the 12th and the 19th, with five wickets falling.

But Logan van Beek, who had struck earlier to dismiss Shadab Khan, found his first ball disappearing over cow corner for six. He varied the pace and got Faheem to scoop it straight up to long-on.

Max O’Dowd got underneath it and got both hands to it, only to find to his horror the ball popping back out and harmlessly to his side. Faheem plundered two more sixes and a boundary before the over was out, and Netherlands realised their chance had gone. (ESPNcricinfo)