In a nail-biting T20 World Cup opener, Pakistan narrowly escaped an upset against the Netherlands, winning by three wickets. After the Dutch posted 147, Pakistan stumbled in their chase, going from 98-2 to 114-7. Faheem Ashraf proved to be the hero with a match-winning innings, smashing three sixes in a crucial over to secure the victory.

The Netherlands put up a spirited fight, with their bowlers making Pakistan work for every run. Logan van Beek's costly 19th over, where he conceded 24 runs, proved to be decisive. Pakistan's shaky performance raises questions about their form, especially given their upcoming matches against the USA and Namibia, following their boycott of the India fixture.

Before the chase, Pakistan's bowlers, including Salman Mirza, restricted the Netherlands to 147. Despite the close call, Pakistan will aim to improve their performance in the upcoming group-stage games. This match serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the need for consistency against teams considered underdogs in the tournament.

Pakistan's next match is against the USA on Tuesday. This victory is a relief, but the team must address its batting frailties. With their eyes set on the Super 8s, Pakistan needs to find their rhythm quickly. The T20 World Cup is underway, and every match is critical, especially when the team is boycotting a critical match against India.