PAK vs NED Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: PAK (148/7 in 19.3 ov), survive massive scare on opening day

Max O’Dowd has hobbled off in visible discomfort after dropping a catch off Faheem Ashraf. The Netherlands need him badly, given he is one of their key batters, and it now remains to be seen what the medical update is once the doctors have assessed him.

Pakistan have dug a massive hole for themselves. In a chase they should have wrapped up with five overs to spare, they are now scrambling just to reach the target. The required run rate is hovering around 10, the Netherlands are sensing something special, and Pakistan look shell-shocked at the moment.

Pakistan need 41 off 36 deliveries. It's still their match to lose. But, Pakistan are Pakistan. 

Pakistan were cruising towards the 148-run target, having reached 98 for 2 in 11 overs. 

However, Paul van Meekeren struck twice in the 12th over, removing the well-set Sahibzada Farhan. 

Since then, they have managed just 17 runs in the last four overs, also losing senior campaigner Babar Azam, who disappointed with the bat. 

Can the Netherlands hold on and pull off an upset? 

No, no, no — that is not what Pakistan needed. Babar Azam is gone, and Pakistan are now five down. From a position of complete control, they’ve lost their way just a touch.

That said, the game is still Pakistan’s to lose. With Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz at the crease — both more than capable with the bat — Pakistan remain well placed to see this through.

Babar Azam is known to take his time early, and this innings has been no different. However, as Wasim Akram rightly pointed out, Babar needs to at least operate at a run-a-ball.

Akram warned that Pakistan could come under pressure if they were to lose a couple of quick wickets and allow the required run rate to climb past eight, or even higher.

Pakistan may have lost the wickets of Saim Ayub and Salman Agha, but Sahibzada Farhan ensured the powerplay firmly belonged to them. The required run rate has dropped to almost a run a ball, and all Pakistan need now is calm, composed cricket to cross the finish line. There’s also an opportunity here to win big and give their net run rate a healthy boost.

Salman Agha has been nothing short of outstanding since moving to No. 3 — almost as if the position has given his batting a new lease of life. Batting there, he has piled up 305 runs at a staggering strike rate of 167.58, a massive jump from his career strike rate of 122.9. In comparison, his strike rates at other positions read 108.04 at No. 4 and 102.04 at No. 5, underlining just how transformative the move up the order has been.

Saim Ayub went through a difficult phase where he endured a string of matches without even opening his account. However, after the series against Australia — where he scored 119 runs across three games — he appears to have rediscovered his touch. Pakistan would certainly welcome a brisk start from him in this opening encounter.

One of Pakistan’s longstanding Achilles’ heels has been their fielding, but on this occasion, it has been a clear strength. Despite Shadab Khan spilling a chance off his own bowling, Pakistan held on to nine catches, with Babar Azam particularly impressive in the deep after his sharp relay to help Shaheen Shah Afridi complete a boundary catch.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, will feel they let a strong platform slip. At the 15-over mark, they were cruising at around 8.20 an over and looked set for 165–170, but a flurry of late wickets prevented them from pressing the accelerator when it mattered most.

Saim Ayub has derailed the Netherlands’ charge in the death overs. That was a superb first over from the off-spinner, as the Dutch batters attempted to up the ante but failed to do so.

While his contribution with the bat will be crucial, Pakistan would be thrilled to see an in-form Saim Ayub delivering with the ball as well.

Shadab Khan, usually one of Pakistan’s safest fielders, has put one down — and it came off his own bowling. He has no one to blame but himself, and it was a costly miss, with Scott Edwards the beneficiary. Had Edwards been on his way back, Pakistan would have been right on top, piling even more pressure on the Netherlands’ batting unit.

Pakistan have continued to chip away with timely wickets, but the Netherlands have ensured the scoreboard keeps moving. Scott Edwards remains at the crease, and his role over the final seven overs will be crucial in determining where the Dutch finish at the end of their innings.

Shadab Khan has bowled well so far, conceding just 21 runs in his first three overs. He could easily have had a wicket, but Scott Edwards’ miscued shot landed safely in no-man’s land. With one over still up his sleeve, Pakistan would dearly love to see Shadab break the stand by removing either Edwards or Bas de Leede.

Scott Edwards has been one of the Netherlands’ most reliable batters in the middle order. While Bas de Leede has played his part, Edwards is expected to hold the key if the Dutch are to push beyond the 180-run mark — a target that is certainly within reach on this surface.

Relive it here — watch it again and again, and it won’t disappoint.

Abrar Ahmed was outstanding in his opening over. Playing his maiden T20 World Cup, he was right on the money with his line and length, completely outfoxing Colin Ackermann, who had no answer to the carrom ball.

The Netherlands now need a substantial partnership — starts alone won’t be enough if they keep throwing wickets away.

After the Netherlands lost the quick wickets of Max O’Dowd and Michael Levitt, Bas de Leede and Colin Ackermann have rebuilt with a solid partnership. Scoring at over eight an over, the Dutch are keeping the momentum alive as they move towards the halfway stage of the innings.

Both the Netherlands and Pakistan would feel the powerplay was evenly shared. Michael Levitt provided a flying start, but timely strikes from Salman Mirza and Mohammad Nawaz pulled things back for Pakistan.

Pakistan’s catching has been top-notch as well. The responsibility now rests on Colin Ackermann and Bas de Leede to steady the ship for the Dutch, while for Pakistan, all eyes will be on Shadab Khan and how he builds on his impressive recent comeback.

That was a superb piece of fielding involving Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam. Babar showed great presence of mind, staying aware of his position and relaying the ball to Shaheen, who deserves credit for backing him perfectly.

Pakistan know sharp fielding is crucial if they are to rein in the Netherlands, and they are delivering on that front. They will also be relieved to have seen the back of Michael Levitt, who was threatening to take the game away from them.

Pakistan needed that over badly. Just as the Netherlands were beginning to tee off, Salman Mirza delivered the breakthrough by removing Max O’Dowd. A proven run-getter for the Dutch over the years, O’Dowd could have inflicted serious damage had he stayed at the crease longer.

Shaheen Shah Afridi has looked completely off his rhythm so far, with Michael Levitt giving him no room to settle. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Pakistan consider taking him out of the attack for now. Pakistan will need an in-form Shaheen firing if they are to go deep in this tournament.

Michael Levitt and Max O’Dowd have not allowed the Pakistan bowlers to settle so far, setting the tone with positive intent at the top. Levitt, in particular, has looked in fine touch, and with very little swing on offer, the Dutch openers are beginning to up the ante.

Shaheen Shah Afridi found very little swing in the opening over as Pakistan went in search of an early breakthrough on a green surface — surprising, given the visible grass on the pitch. Barring the fifth delivery, which he sprayed down the leg side, he was largely on the money. Nevertheless, the Netherlands would be pleased to have collected nine runs from the first over.