'I kept praying for him to drop it': Faheem Ashraf after lifeline helps Pakistan dodge T20 World Cup upset

With 23 runs needed off 11 balls, Pakistan almost suffered a devastating blow in their T20 World Cup campaign. Faheem Ashraf was dropped in a huge moment with Pakistan at 125/7. Ashraf needed to be the finisher as the Netherlands began to expose Pakistan's tailenders, and a defeat would see them get knocked out of the tournament. As Pakistan have decided to boycott their group-stage game against India, they need to win all their other matches to qualify for the next stage.

Received a full toss from Logan van Beek, Ashraf went high and to the right of long-on. Max O'Dowd almost had it, but the ball popped out of his grasp, and he couldn't hold onto the rebound. In the next ball, Ashraf smacked a six, high over mid-off, followed by a dot. The over ended with an 89m six and a four.

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It proved costly, as Pakistan needed only five runs in the last over. It began with a single and then dot. Then in the third ball, Ashraf wrapped up proceedings with a four.

Chasing 148 runs, Pakistan reached 148/7 in 19.3 overs, winning by three wickets. Sahibzada Farhan missed out on a half-century, registering 47 off 31 balls. Meanwhile, Faheem Ashraf slammed an unbeaten knock of 29* off 11 balls. Initially, a three-wicket haul from Salman Mirza restricted the Netherlands to 147 in 19.5 overs.

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