THE Netherlands nearly pulled off a major upset before Faheem Ashraf's breezy cameo secured a nervy three-wicket win for Pakistan in

It was the second ball of the 19th over. As Faheem Ashraf’s mistimed slog hung in the air, Pakistan supporters must have felt another T20 World Cup campaign would be over even before it had started. But Dutch long-off fielder Max O’Dowd let the ball ...

Pakistan, Feb. 8 -- All-rounder Faheem Ashraf played an unbeaten cameo of 29 (11) to take Pakistan home against Netherlands with a victory in a thriller of an opening match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup as they faced defeat and needed 29 off the last 12 balls at the SSC Colombo on Saturday morning.

Pakistan began confidently through openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, who gave the chase early momentum. Ayub set the tone with a brisk 24 off 13 balls, hitting four fours and a six, before being dismissed by off-spinner Aryan Dutt.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first at the SSC in Colombo. The pitch has a noticeable grass covering, which is expected to assist the fast bowlers early on. As the match progresses, the surface is likely to offer turn,

Pakistan play their first T20 World Cup game against Netherlands on Saturday, and admit group stage needs to be perfect.