T20 World Cup: Pakistan survives Netherlands scare in opener

Netherlands made a positive start to their innings at the Sinhala Sports Club after they were asked to bat first as opener Michael Levitt hit 24 off 15 balls.

Bas de Leede continued the momentum with a 25-ball 30, and at 105-3 with De Leede and Edwards at the crease, Holland looked set to post a competitive total.

But the affiliate Nation lost their last six wickets for 20 runs as Mohammed Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub picked up two wickets each.

Sahibzada Farhan’s 47 off 31 balls took Pakistan to 98-2 before slapping Aryan Dutt to cover to start Pakistan’s collapse as Roelof van der Merwe and Paul van Meekeren bowled tightly.

Achraf saved his shame, though, when he hit three sixes and a four off the penultimate over from Logan van Beek, and Holland wasted a chance to dismiss him in the seventh over when Max O’Dowd bombed the ball at long-on.

With five goals needed from the final over, Achraf struck the ball and then smashed De Leyde through cover for four to prevent a shock.