Pakistan End Women’s T20 World Cup Campaign on Winning Note
News Desk
Islamabad: Pakistan Women’s cricket team signed off from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a convincing 37-run victory over the Netherlands at Bristol County Ground on Saturday, earning their first and only win of the tournament.
Although Pakistan had already been eliminated from the competition after losing their first four group-stage matches, the team produced a disciplined all-round performance to finish the campaign on a positive note.
After being asked to bat, Pakistan posted 126 for six in their 20 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 63 from opener Gull Feroza. Anchoring the innings from start to finish, Gull struck nine boundaries in her 52-ball knock and shared a crucial 79-run partnership for the second wicket with Ayesha Zafar.
Ayesha contributed a valuable 32 off 29 deliveries, including two fours and a six, before departing in the 14th over. Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals late in the innings but still managed to post a competitive total.
For the Netherlands, Iris Zwilling was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2-19 from four overs.
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In reply, the Dutch side looked comfortable at 76 for three after 14 overs before Pakistan’s bowlers triggered a dramatic collapse.
Ayesha Zafar turned the game with a brilliant double-wicket maiden in the 15th over, dismissing Robine Rijke and Sanya Khurana before adding a third wicket in her next over. She finished with impressive figures of 3-13.
Captain Fatima Sana then wrapped up the innings in spectacular fashion, claiming three wickets in five deliveries, including a triple-wicket maiden in the final over. Her spell of 3-12 helped bowl the Netherlands out for just 89 in 18 overs.
Earlier, opener Heather Siegers scored a quickfire 24, while captain Babette de Leede top-scored with 30, but neither batter could prevent the Dutch batting lineup from collapsing.
Fatima Sana finished the tournament with 11 wickets, underlining her consistency despite Pakistan’s early exit from the competition.
Gull Feroza was named Player of the Match for her unbeaten half-century.
Pakistan’s campaign ended with one win from five matches. The team suffered defeats against India, South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia before securing a morale-boosting victory over the Netherlands in their final group-stage fixture.
