Pakistan signed off from the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with a 37-run victory over tournament debutants Netherlands, ending the teams’ campaigns on a winning note in Bristol. While neither side was in contention for the knockout stages, Pakistan produced a disciplined all-round display to finish their tournament with something to celebrate, while the Netherlands departed having earned plenty of admiration in their first-ever appearance at a T20 World Cup.
After choosing to bat, Pakistan never truly broke free but managed to post a competitive 126/6, thanks largely to an unbeaten 63(52) from Gull Feroza. The opener held the innings together after Muneeba Ali departed early, finding support through a valuable 79-run stand with Ayesha Zafar, who made 32(29). The pair rebuilt patiently before Ayesha fell trying to accelerate in the 14th over.
Iris Zwilling was the standout of the Netherlands bowlers with figures of 2/19, while Hannah Landheer, Caroline de Lange, Heather Siegers and Silver Siegers claimed a wicket each to prevent Pakistan from pushing beyond a modest total. Having restricted South Africa to just one wicket despite conceding over 200 earlier in the week, the Dutch attack once again showed discipline even if the batting support never quite arrived.
Chasing 127, the Netherlands made a bright start through Heather Siegers, whose brisk 24(16) briefly lifted hopes of another upset. But once Diana Baig trapped her lbw, Pakistan’s spinners slowly tightened their grip on the contest. Babette de Leede battled hard for 30(41), but boundaries dried up as the asking rate climbed. Pakistan’s spin trio refused to offer any release.
Nashra Sandhu returned 1/8 from 3 overs, Tuba Hassan conceded just 21 from her four, while Ayesha Zafar produced a match-turning spell of 3/13 that broke the middle order. Captain Fatima Sana then wrapped up the innings with 3/12, including the final two wickets, as the Netherlands were bowled out for 89 in 18 overs.
For Pakistan, it was a satisfying finish after an inconsistent campaign, with contributions coming from both experienced players and younger names. For the Netherlands, despite leaving without another win there was plenty to take away from a memorable first Women’s T20 World Cup.
They competed fearlessly, earned strong support from travelling fans throughout the tournament and showed they belonged on the biggest stage. The results may not always have gone their way, but their debut campaign offered several encouraging signs for the future.
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