Bristol, June 27, 2026: Pakistan registered a convincing 37-run victory over the Netherlands in the 26th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the County Ground, Bristol, on Saturday, with all-round performances from Ayesha Zafar and Feroza leading the way.
Defending a modest total of 126/6, Pakistan’s bowlers produced a disciplined display to dismiss the Netherlands for 89 in 18 overs.
Ayesha Zafar starred with both bat and ball, scoring a valuable 32 before claiming three wickets. Captain Fatima Sana also picked up three wickets, while Nashra Sandhu and Diana Baig chipped in with one wicket each.
For the Netherlands, captain Babette de Leede fought a lone battle with a patient 30 off 41 balls, while opener Heather Siegers made a brisk 24 from 16 deliveries. No other Dutch batter managed to reach double figures.
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Pakistan recovered from an early setback to post 126/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
The innings began cautiously, with opener Muneeba Ali dismissed for 12 in the fourth over, leaving Pakistan at 15/1.
Ayesha Zafar and Feroza then steadied the innings with a crucial 79-run partnership for the second wicket. Ayesha struck 32 off 29 balls, hitting two fours and a six, before being dismissed by Silver Siegers in the 14th over.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana promoted herself to No. 4 but managed only three runs before falling to Iris Zwilling. Debutant Eyman Fatima, playing her first Women’s T20 World Cup match, was dismissed for a duck, while Iram Javed (2) and Saira Jabeen (5) also departed cheaply during the closing overs.
Feroza anchored the innings superbly, remaining unbeaten on 63 off 52 balls, an innings featuring nine boundaries. Her composed knock earned her the Player of the Match award.
For the Netherlands, Iris Zwilling was the pick of the bowlers with 2-19 in four overs, while Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Silver Siegers and Caroline de Lange claimed one wicket each.
