29 runs were needed in the last two overs
Pakistan needed 29 runs in the last two overs. Ashraf hit three sixes and a four off Logan Van Beek and hit a four in the last over to seal the match for Pakistan with three balls remaining. Earlier, Odaud had caught Ashraf on the second ball of the 19th over when he was on seven runs. Netherlands had to pay a heavy price for missing this catch.
Top order batsmen failed
The off-field headlines affected Pakistan’s preparations ahead of the T20 World Cup. Pakistan Cricket Board has decided not to play the match against India to be held on February 15. For Pakistan, Sahibzada Farhan scored the highest score of 47 runs in 31 balls while opener Saim Ayub contributed 24 runs in 13 balls. Babar Azam could score only 15 runs in 18 balls.
Babar Azam failed
Paul Van Meekeren dismissed Farhan and Usman Khan (0) in the 12th over and Babar also went in the 13th over. Pakistan’s score at this time was 100 runs for five wickets. Pakistan needed 37 runs in the last five overs but experienced Kyle Klein sent Mohammad Nawaz (six) to the pavilion in the 16th over. Pakistan needed 34 runs in the last four overs when Shadab Khan also lost his wicket. After this Ashraf got the team out of trouble.
Salman Mirza took 3 wickets
Earlier, the Netherlands team, sent to bat, scored 50 runs for two wickets in 6 overs of powerplay by scoring 14 runs in the sixth over, but in the end the entire team was out for 147 runs in 19.5 overs. For Pakistan, Salman Mirza took three wickets for 24 runs. Netherlands had scored 79 runs for three wickets in ten overs which included 12 fours and one six.
Netherlands batsman
Thanks to a 40-run partnership for the fourth wicket between captain Scott Edwards (37 runs in 29 balls) and third-placed Bas De Leede (30 runs in 25 balls), it seemed at one time that the Netherlands would score above 150. Netherlands had scored 100 runs for three wickets in 12.1 overs. After this, however, Pakistani bowlers created pressure. At one time the score went from 105 runs for three wickets in 12.3 overs to 129 runs for 7 wickets in 16.4 overs. Mohammad Nawaz dismissed De Leede in the 13th over, after which the batting order disintegrated. Abrar Ahmed sent Edwards to the pavilion in the 16th over.
