Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Nightmare: How a 98/2 Collapse Almost Ended Their Campaign on Day One

From 98/2 to 114/7: How Pak's T20 WC nearly ended on day one

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It was supposed to be a routine start. Chasing a modest 148 against the Netherlands in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener, Pakistan looked firmly in control at 98/2 in the 13th over. The Eden Gardens crowd anticipated a comfortable win. But what followed was a shocking implosion—a Pakistan T20 World Cup collapse so dramatic it nearly ended their campaign before it even began [[1]].

In just 18 deliveries, they lost five wickets for a mere 16 runs, plunging from 98/2 to 114/7. Panic set in. Social media erupted. The Dutch, sensing history, tightened their grip. And then, out of nowhere, came Faheem Ashraf—a man with nothing to lose and everything to prove.

The Slide from Comfort to Crisis

The foundation was solid. Openers had done their job. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were rotating strike and picking gaps. At 98/2, the required run rate was under 7. Victory seemed inevitable. But cricket, especially T20 cricket, is a game of momentum—and Pakistan lost theirs in a heartbeat.

The turning point came when leg-spinner Shariz Ahmad ripped through the middle order. His variations—googlies, flippers, and top-spinners—exposed Pakistan’s lack of adaptability. One by one, the batters fell: Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Agha, and Shadab Khan all perished playing across the line or misreading the spin. The scoreboard froze. Confidence evaporated.

Pakistan T20 World Cup Collapse: Anatomy of a Meltdown

This wasn’t just a bad patch—it was a systemic failure. Here’s how the collapse unfolded ball-by-ball between overs 13 and 16:

  • Over 13.3: Iftikhar Ahmed (12 off 15) – LBW trying to sweep. Score: 102/3.
  • Over 14.1: Salman Agha (8 off 10) – caught at deep midwicket. Score: 104/4.
  • Over 15.2: Shadab Khan (4 off 6) – stumped charging down the track. Score: 108/5.
  • Over 15.5: Mohammad Nawaz (0 off 2) – bowled by a quicker arm ball. Score: 108/6.
  • Over 16.2: Naseem Shah (1 off 3) – caught behind. Score: 114/7.

In just 18 balls, Pakistan went from cruising to needing 34 off 21 with only three wickets left. The pressure was suffocating.

Faheem Ashraf’s 11-Ball Masterclass

Enter Faheem Ashraf. Known more for his bowling than his batting, he walked in with the weight of a nation on his shoulders. What followed was pure theatre. He didn’t just hit boundaries—he dismantled the Dutch attack with fearless intent.

His unbeaten 29 came off just 11 balls, featuring four sixes and one four. But beyond the numbers, it was his clarity of thought that stood out. He knew exactly which bowler to target (Bas de Leede), which lengths to attack (full and straight), and when to take the single to keep strike. This wasn’t blind aggression—it was calculated, high-stakes execution [[1]].

The 19th Over That Saved Pakistan’s Tournament

With 22 needed off 12 balls, the 19th over bowled by Bas de Leede was make-or-break. Faheem turned it into a clinic:

  1. Ball 1: SIX over long-on – cleared his front leg, perfect timing.
  2. Ball 2: Dot – defended, reset.
  3. Ball 3: SIX over deep midwicket – flat-bat slog, minimal risk.
  4. Ball 4: SIX over long-off – inside-out loft, pure class.
  5. Ball 5: Single – smart cricket, kept strike.
  6. Ball 6: Dot – last man blocks, tension peaks.

Nineteen runs from the over. Game over. Pakistan won by three wickets with three balls to spare.

Why the Top Order Failed Despite a Low Target

Chasing 148 should have been straightforward. So why did Pakistan stumble? Three key reasons:

  • Lack of Intent: Batters like Babar (38 off 40) and Rizwan (29 off 32) prioritized occupation over acceleration, killing momentum in the middle overs.
  • Poor Shot Selection: Against quality spin, they resorted to low-percentage sweeps and cross-bat shots instead of using depth of crease or working singles.
  • Mental Fragility: Once the first wicket fell, panic spread. There was no counter-puncher to stabilize the innings.

For a deeper dive into Pakistan’s batting frailties, see our analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:pakistan-t20-batting-lineup-weaknesses].

Lessons for Pakistan Ahead of India Clash

This narrow escape must serve as a brutal wake-up call. Against India’s world-class attack—featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy—such complacency will be punished mercilessly. Key takeaways:

  • Promote an aggressive hitter like Saim Ayub to No. 3 to prevent stagnation.
  • Develop a clear middle-over plan against spin, not just survival.
  • Trust finishers like Faheem earlier—they shouldn’t be last resort.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call in Disguise

Faheem Ashraf’s heroics saved Pakistan from embarrassment, but they cannot mistake luck for strategy. The Pakistan T20 World Cup collapse against the Netherlands exposed dangerous vulnerabilities in their batting DNA. If they don’t address these issues before their marquee clash with India, their World Cup journey might end not with a whimper—but with another, more final, collapse.

Sources

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