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Pakistan pulled off an absolute nail-biting finish against The Netherlands in Saturday’s opening match of the T20 World Cup.

Facing one of the ‘minnows’ — less competitive teams — of the tournament, a casual observer would assume former champions Pakistan would’ve cruised through. That clearly wasn’t the case after a middle-order collapse mid-way through the innings for the side chasing a target of 147.

Pakistani fans on X, though jubilant, had to call the boys in green out for giving everyone a mini heart attack in every single match.

Other fans thought the match was a thriller, much like a roller coaster ride.

There were the customary mentions of ‘qudrat ka nizam’ which has long been credited with a dismal Pakistan making it fairly far in international tournaments.

One user even suggested the suspense had to be maintained to keep fans glued to their screens. He might just be onto something.

There was also heaps of praise showered on Rana Faheem Ashraf, Pakistan’s lasting line of defence who came in late in the game but carried the team to victory with an enviable haul of three maximums and two fours off 11 deliveries.

With adrenaline pumping through everyone’s veins after this first thriller, fans can’t wait to see how Pakistan do in their next match against the United States as the green shirts look to avenge their humiliating defeat in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Cover photo: Pakistan Cricket Board/X