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Pakistan (148/7) defeat Netherlands (147) by 3 wickets in a tense last-over thriller in the opening game of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026

Sachin fan said:
Lucky teams win world cups more than strong teams
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Last time PAK won an ICC tournament, it came to be out of a pure luck circumstance. 2017 Champions Trophy had Sarfraz not been dropped multiple times by Perera and others, Pakistan wouldn't have beaten Sri Lanka and progressed forward.
 
Considering the options Pak has, Faheem is a tactical essential for the T20 squad. He plays with a better cricket IQ compared to his mates. Look at how he dismissed Abhishek in the Asia Cup final by taking the pace off. Even Dale Steyn recently posted that the key to unsettling Indian openers is removing the pace, and while Shaheen and Haris were trying bowl their usual, Faheem had the presence of mind to change it up. Without that wicket, the game would have been over by the 15th over. It was a similar story today, the Netherlands didn’t have a threatening attack, and a few middle-order sixes would have ended it early. Aside from Farhan and Saim, the rest of the batting lineup lacked the intent needed to chase even such a low target.
 
Scot Edwards in Post Match Interview
"It's a good wicket, Pakistan got it down to run a ball, then we got a maiden and the boys jumped on the momentum"

That momentum was definitely gift from Ghnta King
 
IAJ said:
LOL. And also don't forget posters like @Major wishing Pakistan to lose. This fake guy have attacked every other poster over the years and today he showed his true colours himself.
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Pakistan deserved to lose.

Dont forget, the only reason they now are alive is because Max O'Dowd dropped Faheem Ashrafs catch.

You can jump up and down with this win and forget what happened in this match.

But this match made is clear that Pakistan is no way winning this world cup and are just participants. Lets hope when the time comes for us to be eliminated, its served through one of the test nation than the likes of USA or Italy
 
Rajdeep said:
Oh totally forgot we are also playing today...LOL.

Most probably will not even watch it. The next game I will watch is on 15 Feb against my fav opposition

:kp
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lol you guys wanted a boycott in asiacup? You're getting it now

Aramse khelna khudke saath us din
 
Wasim Ghulam said:
Scot Edwards in Post Match Interview
"It's a good wicket, Pakistan got it down to run a ball, then we got a maiden and the boys jumped on the momentum"

That momentum was definitely gift from Ghnta King
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Did this guy actually play a maiden? I started watching when nawaz came on?
 
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I’m glad we won in an unconvincing way. It exposes the issues and the poor brand of cricket we have been playing for the past 10 years or so.

If this level of performance continues, we can forget about super 8s. Factor in matches being rained out and also not playing against India, Pak really need to step up.
 
khyberlion said:
Did this clown actually play a maiden? I started watching when nawaz came on?
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No Farhan got out on First ball and then Hack got out on 3rd ball.. double wicket maiden followed. before that babar aas 6 off 12 while Pak was almost going at 10. Farhan got out because Babar waa doing anchoring
 
Not a convincing win, but I will take it.

Faheem literally saved Pak behinds today.

Credit to the Dutch, but they lost the game in the penultimate over

Pak were cruising at one stage.

98/2 >> 117/7 says it all

Babar's slow batting caused others to falter as they tried to accelerate.

Babar can play ODIs (where you have more time) but not T20Is.
 
Wasim Ghulam said:
No Farhan got out on First ball and then Hack got out on 3rd ball.. double wicket maiden followed. before that babar aas 6 off 12 while Pak was almost going at 10. Farhan got out because Babar waa doing anchoring
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Id they are going to play babar is better they play him at 9. He's cancer for any team. Pathetic
 
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Win in the end but this match should ring alarm bells for them. Middle order looks weak. I have seen Khawja nafay bat only once against Australia recently but he looked good enough to be a #4 or 5 in this lineup.
 
Major said:
Pakistan deserved to lose.

Dont forget, the only reason they now are alive is because Max O'Dowd dropped Faheem Ashrafs catch.

You can jump up and down with this win and forget what happened in this match.

But this match made is clear that Pakistan is no way winning this world cup and are just participants. Lets hope when the time comes for us to be eliminated, its served through one of the test nation than the likes of USA or Italy
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Cheer up.
 
If u r 98 for 2 and suddenly are 117 for 7, losing 5 wickets for 19 runs against a minnow, you dont deserve to play in a world cup
 
Faheem Ashraf | Player of the Match: We've been playing similar cricket for the past one year. So whatever job is given, we try to do it properly and in the best possible way. The heartbeat was fast, this kind wasn’t something new or the first time. So it was just about going out there and doing whatever we know how to do. With the batting partners, the discussion was to not give away our wicket. We can do it one over at a time. If we get 1 or 2 boundaries, we move closer. So, thank God, exactly what we wanted happened. (On the 19th over) When the ball was in the air, I kept praying for him to drop. We wanted to finish it quickly but sometimes it happens that your team collapses. In such situations, you have to keep your nerves under control. If you look at our team, even when we don’t play well, we keep our nerves in check, and because of that we get good results.
 
Salman Ali Agha | Pakistan Captain - We have to do it the hard way. But I think it was when we bowled, I think we really stuck down really well. With 148, I can take that any day. We batted well in the first 10 overs, but you have five, six bad overs, like if it's two, three bad overs, you get so far away from the game. But credit to obviously Faheem, the way he batted, I think he batted outstandingly well. (With the ball) I think we started well and we knew they were gonna come hard. But I think we pulled things really well. And 147, I think we will take in any game on this kind of pitch.

They've been bowling well for like the last six months now (on the bowlers). And they have done it today as well. It's a complete bowling performance, I can say that. I think the first 10 (overs) was very good. We batted really well. And then they managed to pull wickets down. And then at that time, the pressure came in. And I think we need to absorb better when it comes to these kinds of games. Lovely batting conditions. If you sum up the conditions of batting. It's not easy to start, but once you get in, it's a good wicket to bat on. When someone gets in, we need to make sure that person will finish.
 
If this is not a wake up call to the team to get rid of the deadwood then nothing is.

If you do the following, it’s a pretty decent XI:

Drop Babar + Usman

Replace with Fakhar and Nafay

Drop Shaheen - bring in Naseem

Drop one of the Shadab/Nawaz, bring in Usman Tariq.

That is a pretty decent XI for T20s

It’s so obvious but for some reason for some Pakistanis the world will end if babar or shaheen are dropped
 
TheSultan said:
If this is not a wake up call to the team to get rid of the deadwood then nothing is.

If you do the following, it’s a pretty decent XI:

Drop Babar + Usman

Replace with Fakhar and Nafay

Drop Shaheen - bring in Naseem

Drop one of the Shadab/Nawaz, bring in Usman Tariq.

That is a pretty decent XI for T20s

It’s so obvious but for some reason for some Pakistanis the world will end if babar or shaheen are dropped
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Thats Pak cricket for you... players always come first. Never the team. Its engrained in their DNA.
 
Major said:
Pakistan deserved to lose.

Dont forget, the only reason they now are alive is because Max O'Dowd dropped Faheem Ashrafs catch.

You can jump up and down with this win and forget what happened in this match.

But this match made is clear that Pakistan is no way winning this world cup and are just participants. Lets hope when the time comes for us to be eliminated, its served through one of the test nation than the likes of USA or Italy
Click to expand...
Listen. You said; "I hope Pakistan lose". You wanted them to lose. Do you understand what this means?

If Paksitan deserved to win or not, that is another story.

We all know this team has many weak sides, but true fans support their team even if they have a bad day or are a bad at competing. Pakistan just whitewashed Australi few days ago, so they are not that bad either.

Jou dil kar lay, but you will never be a real fan of Pakistan cricket team. Once the team hits the ground, a real fan supports his team.
 
IAJ said:
Listen. You said; "I hope Pakistan lose". You wanted them to lose. Do you understand what this means?

If Paksitan deserved to win or not, that is another story.

We all know this team has many weak sides, but true fans support their team even if they have a bad day or are a bad at competing. Pakistan just whitewashed Australi few days ago, so they are not that bad either.

Jou dil kar lay, but you will never be a real fan of Pakistan cricket team. Once the team hits the ground, a real fan supports his team.
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Dunya ither ki uther ho jaye .. phir bhi Pakistan Zindabad!
 
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I think now I am seeing the reasoning behind Pakistan refusing to play India. Indians would hands down humiliate this Pakistani side.

Netherlands had no place even having a chance in this game, had that catch not been dropped towards the end Pakistan might have lost the match..
 
Romali_rotti said:
I think now I am seeing the reasoning behind Pakistan refusing to play India. Indians would hands down humiliate this Pakistani side.

Netherlands had no place even having a chance in this game, had that catch not been dropped towards the end Pakistan might have lost the match..
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Considering that you’ve been on this forum longer than many of the kids here have been alive, I’m surprised you still don’t know much about the Pakistani cricket team. On one oaccasion, they can whitewash Australia with ease; on another, they struggle to beat a minnow — and can even lose to one. That’s just normal for Pakistan.
 
IAJ said:
Listen. You said; "I hope Pakistan lose". You wanted them to lose. Do you understand what this means?

If Paksitan deserved to win or not, that is another story.

We all know this team has many weak sides, but true fans support their team even if they have a bad day or are a bad at competing. Pakistan just whitewashed Australi few days ago, so they are not that bad either.

Jou dil kar lay, but you will never be a real fan of Pakistan cricket team. Once the team hits the ground, a real fan supports his team.
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If a team losses 5 wickets for 20 runs to a minnow, they deserve to lose.

Dont know why you are getting ur chaddis twisted, move on
 
IAJ said:
Considering that you’ve been on this forum longer than many of the kids here have been alive, I’m surprised you still don’t know much about the Pakistani cricket team. On one oaccasion, they can whitewash Australia with ease; on another, they struggle to beat a minnow — and can even lose to one. That’s just normal for Pakistan.
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I just can't get over the way they played Netherlands. I had the misfortune of watching the whole match...
 
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Reactions: IAJ
Major said:
If a team losses 5 wickets for 20 runs to a minnow, they deserve to lose.

Dont know why you are getting ur chaddis twisted, move on
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I’ve just called you out and placed you in the same category as a few other posters here. You’ll be reminded of this often. Living in Pakistan, you’ve spent most of your time on PP questioning the patriotism of overseas Pakistanis, and now that you’ve been labelled a bandwagon supporter, you’re telling me to move on lol.
 
IAJ said:
Considering that you’ve been on this forum longer than many of the kids here have been alive, I’m surprised you still don’t know much about the Pakistani cricket team. On one oaccasion, they can whitewash Australia with ease; on another, they struggle to beat a minnow — and can even lose to one. That’s just normal for Pakistan.
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This is not normal. Pakistan has a habit of losing to test member nations, loke we did against india in a low scoring match in usa or during the world t20 2022.

Regularly losing to minnows is a new low we have achieved. And im saying regularly, not once in a blue moon like in 2007.

We lost to zimbabwe due to shadab back in world t20 2022. Lost to usa and almost lost to canada in the same tournament. This is not normal and defendable
 
IAJ said:
I’ve just called you out and placed you in the same category as a few other posters here. You’ll be reminded of this often. Living in Pakistan, you’ve spent most of your time on PP questioning the patriotism of overseas Pakistanis, and now that you’ve been labelled a bandwagon supporter, you’re telling me to move on lol.
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You need to move on. You are obviously triggered..

Pakistan is a rubbish side as proven today and would be out sooner or later
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Mistake to play all 3 allrounders. They should play 6 batsmen . 6+2+3. That's the way to go.
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mistake to play Dubai Khan, he is not a international level player. nafay is better option than him .

Saim
Farhan
Agha
Babar
Fakhar
Nafay WK)
Nawaz
Faheem
Abrar
Tariq
Shaheen

Or they can play Shadab instead babar .

:kp
 
Devadwal said:
mistake to play Dubai Khan, he is not a international level player. nafay is better option than him .

Saim
Farhan
Agha
Babar
Fakhar
Nafay WK)
Nawaz
Faheem
Abrar
Tariq
Shaheen

Or they can play Shadab instead babar .

:kp
Click to expand...

No, this template is fine. No need for 3rd allrounder
 
Nikhil_cric said:
No, this template is fine. No need for 3rd allrounder
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Had they not played Faheem, they would have lost the game.

In last 1 and half year whenever Pakistan won due to lower order contribution.

If they Play six batsman - Fakhar and Babar is going to play and they are not in great form , so what difference they will makes? Nothing

:kp
 
khyberlion said:
Nawaz will always be a mental midget, thought he might have turned a corner. Our tail starts at 4 which would have cost us the game had it not been for the drop catch.
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Thats so true he looked million dollars against B teams we just played but looked like a hack today
 
Why, in T20s and even ODIs, you should not evaluate teams on bilaterals matches.

World Cups are when everyone turns up to play.
 
Sachin fan said:
Pakistan are usually slow starters who gain momentum later as tournament progresses. This is regardless of opponents.

So it's good they start with a win. Don't worry how it came, it will build their confidence.
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Pakistan have had much worst starts in World Cups.

Most of these players aren't bad but they need to be played in their right role. Whether it's bowling or batting.

And Babar specially needs to be dropped. He single handedly sucked all of the momentum.

Nawaz and Shadab should've finished the game but the pressure was built because of Babar's innings. Otherwise Pakistan were cruising in the game
 
RidiculousMan said:
Pakistan have had much worst starts in World Cups.

Most of these players aren't bad but they need to be played in their right role. Whether it's bowling or batting.

And Babar specially needs to be dropped. He single handedly sucked all the momentum of the momentum of the game.

Nawaz and Shadab should've finished the game but the pressure was built because of Babar's innings. Otherwise Pakistan were cruising in the game
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Exactly, and even when they have crashed out early, it's because they lose their first or second match. And by the time they start their momentum, it's too late.

So starting with a win is great
 
We won but Shaheen was truly pathetic with the bat I didn't see him bowl, him playing forward defense as if he is drawing a test game where he just needs to take singles. No game awareness at all. He was going to completely bottle it but was saved by Faheem.
 
Sachin fan said:
Exactly, and even when they have crashed out early, it's because they lose their first or second match. And by the time they start their momentum, it's too late.

So starting with a win is great
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We are a garbage team, look at that middle-order it's worse than pretty much every team bar UAE or Oman maybe in this tournament.

Literally nothing much was happening off the wicket and they just started to dead-batting everything that came their way.
 
khyberlion said:
He just freezes at critical moment, it's like he forgets how to bat.
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The way he froze against India with the ball will be on his mind forever. As soon as pressure comes in his mind will suddenly start going over and over that moment. You need a good sports psychologist to recover from such a blow and ensure you can block it out.

It is human nature. We all experience it.
, but in the sports field you need help to get over it.
 
Usman Chadda said:
We are a garbage team, look at that middle-order it's worse than pretty much every team bar UAE or Oman maybe in this tournament.

Literally nothing much was happening off the wicket and they just started to dead-batting everything that came their way.
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These things can happen bro we already know this team isn't world beater so expectations shouldn't be too high in the first place.

It will take time to rebuild Pak T20 team but we are moving in a better direction.
 
In all honesty had this been any other team us Pak fans would have been raving about their depth and how despite a collapse they have the batting depth to keep going. So let's have some perspective. Yes it was a minnow, but you know what, these guys would have choked against the minnow before in the past.

Sure the performance was ugly but let's see the positives. We haven't not discovered anything new. We already knew that Usman was sketchy, Babar was cooked and Nawaz can flop under pressure.

But we saw Farhan, Saim and Faheem play well. In T20 format we just need a few players to hit their stride and a team can go on a run.

Momentum is with us. We are giving a big learn to India via boycott and hopefully if rain stays off we are in next stage.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
These things can happen bro we already know this team isn't world beater so expectations shouldn't be too high in the first place.

It will take time to rebuild Pak T20 team but we are moving in a better direction.
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How much longer will we carry passengers? Everyone knows Babar and Usman together in a T20 batting line-up in the middle-order is a disaster waiting to unfold, and it did today and it will happen tomorrow and day after too.

We are no world beaters and are below par in skill level, yet keep making these stupid mistakes aswell. In no universe do Fakhar Zaman and Khawaja Nafay sit out for Babar and Usman, none. I would take Fakhar's inconsistency before this loser nalla specialist fielder.
 
Wasim Ghulam said:
No Farhan got out on First ball and then Hack got out on 3rd ball.. double wicket maiden followed. before that babar aas 6 off 12 while Pak was almost going at 10. Farhan got out because Babar waa doing anchoring
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Between Babar, Uk, Shadab and Nawaz played 45 balls and scored 29 runs 😊
 
BouncerGuy said:
Usman Khan 0(2)
Shadab Khan 8(12)
M Nawaz 6(13)
But let's only Blame Babar Azam
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He started it by scoring 50 SR when everyone else was playing >180 SR.

Farhan got out because Babar was 6(12) on other end. UK i never considered batter only, and Shadab is glorified tailender who should 8 and not 6.
 
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