Pakistan Women delivered a composed all-round display to secure a 37-run victory over Netherlands Women in Match 26 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Batting first, Gull Feroza led the charge with a steady unbeaten 63 off 52 deliveries, guiding Pakistan to a total of 126/6. The bowlers then backed up the effort with a disciplined performance, bundling out the Netherlands for 89 in 18 overs to seal a convincing win.
Pakistan captain Fatima’s decision to bat first paid off as her side posted 126/6 in 20 overs, built largely around a crucial second-wicket partnership between Ayesha and Gull Feroza.
The Green Shirts, however, made a shaky start after losing left-handed opener Muneeba (12) on the very first ball of the fourth over with just 15 runs on the board.
Ayesha then joined Feroza at the crease, and the pair steadied the innings with a fluent 79-run stand for the second wicket, setting a solid platform for a competitive total.
The partnership was finally broken in the 14th over when Silver Siegers struck back after being hit for a six on the opening ball of the spell. Ayesha departed for 32 off 29 deliveries, including two boundaries and a six.
After Ayesha’s dismissal, Pakistan captain Fatima stepped up to bat at No. 4, promoting herself in the order. However, the decision did not yield the desired result as she managed just three runs before being dismissed by Iris Zwilling in the 16th over.
Pakistan suffered another setback in the very next over when Eyman Fatima, on her Women’s T20 World Cup debut, was dismissed for a six-ball duck by Caroline de Lange.
The collapse continued as Heather Siegers struck in the penultimate over to remove Iram Javed, who scored only two runs from five balls. Zwilling then returned to claim her second wicket in the final over, dismissing Saira Jabeen for five runs.
Amid the batting collapse, Feroza stood firm and anchored the innings from start to finish, top-scoring with an unbeaten 63 off 52 balls, including nine boundaries. Her performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
For the Netherlands, Zwilling was the standout bowler, finishing with figures of 2 for 19 in her four overs. Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Silver, and de Lange each picked up a wicket to restrict Pakistan’s batting lineup.
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