T20 World Cup 2026: Faheem Ashraf reflects on his match-winning knock vs Netherlands

Faheem Ashraf during his 11-ball 29 not out. PIC/GETTY IMAGES

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf admitted his heart rate was fluctuating during the fag end of Pakistan's nervy yet successful run chase against the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup opener here on Saturday, but said he was confident he "could take down whatever runs in one over".

Ashraf emerged as Pakistan's hero, hammering an unbeaten 29 off just 11 balls in a stunning late assault that sealed a dramatic three-wicket victory. Chasing 148, Pakistan were 90-2 at the halfway stage, but lost wickets in a heap as they were 114-7 in 16.1 overs.

Needing 29 runs from the last two overs, Ashraf hit three sixes and one four off Logan van Beek and finished off the match with a four in the final over as Pakistan reached 148-7 in 19.3 overs.

"We have been playing this brand of cricket for the past year. Heart rates go up and down, it's happened so many times before, we're used to it," the 32-year-old bowling all-rounder said. "Shaheen [Afridi] and I were talking about saving wickets, knew we could take down whatever in one over," he added.

Brief scores
Netherlands 147 all out in 19.5 overs (S Edwards 37, B Leede 30; S Mirza 3-24, A Ahmed 2-23, M Nawaz 2-38) lost to Pakistan 148-7 in 19.3 overs (S Farhan 47, F Ashraf 29', P Meekeren 2-20, A Dutt 2-33) by three wickets

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