T20 WC: Feroza, Zafar and Sana power Pakistan to 37-run win over Netherlands

WEB DESK: Gull Feroza’s unbeaten half-century, backed by Ayesha Zafar’s steady contribution and a disciplined bowling display, helped Pakistan secure a 37-run victory over the Netherlands in their Women’s T20 World Cup match in Bristol on Saturday.

Pakistan posted 126 for 6 after choosing to bat, before dismissing the Netherlands for 89. The result gave Pakistan a much-needed consolation win after a difficult campaign, while the Dutch side were left to rue a collapse that ended a promising chase.

Feroza anchored Pakistan’s innings with an unbeaten 63, while Zafar made 32 in a crucial 79-run partnership for the second wicket. Pakistan’s bowlers then seized control after Netherlands opener Heather Siegers threatened to take the chase away from them early on.

Fatima Sana and Zafar both claimed three wickets, while Pakistan’s spin attack tightened its grip during the middle overs to prevent the Netherlands from recovering.

Feroza holds Pakistan’s innings together

Pakistan’s decision to bat first looked uncertain in the early stages when Muneeba Ali departed cheaply. However, Feroza and Zafar rebuilt the innings carefully before increasing the tempo through the middle overs.

The pair added 79 runs for the second wicket, giving Pakistan a platform after a subdued start. Feroza was the more assertive batter during the partnership, finding boundaries as the innings moved past its halfway stage.

Pakistan’s strongest period came between the 10th and 14th overs, when Feroza led a push that brought 36 runs in four overs. Her ability to rotate the strike and punish loose deliveries allowed Pakistan to move towards a competitive total.

The Netherlands responded well late in the innings through Silver Siegers and Iris Zwilling, who helped trigger a collapse. Pakistan lost five wickets for 24 runs as they slipped from a position where a total above 140 had appeared possible.

Sana, promoted to No. 4, was unable to make an impact with the bat, while the Dutch bowlers kept Pakistan under pressure in the closing overs. Still, Feroza remained composed at one end and ensured her side reached 126, which proved sufficient on a difficult surface.

Pakistan’s bowlers shut down Dutch chase

The Netherlands began brightly in pursuit, with Heather Siegers playing confidently at the top of the order. She raced to 24 off 15 balls as the Dutch reached 31 in the first 20 deliveries, raising hopes of a successful chase.

Her dismissal, however, changed the course of the match. After an appeal for leg-before was initially turned down, Pakistan reviewed the decision at the last moment. The review showed the ball was hitting the stumps, ending Siegers’ promising innings.

The Netherlands lost further momentum soon afterwards when a risky single resulted in a run-out, with Eyman Fatima producing a direct hit.

Pakistan then turned to spin, with Nashra Sandhu delivering a particularly economical spell. Her three overs cost only eight runs and helped build pressure as the required rate continued to rise.

The Dutch batters struggled to find gaps or maintain partnerships. After Siegers’ departure, the Netherlands managed only 23 runs across seven overs, allowing Pakistan to take complete control.

Sana returned at the end to finish the innings emphatically, bowling the final three Dutch batters and completing figures of 3 for 12. Zafar also took 3 for 13 as the Netherlands lost their final seven wickets for just 13 runs.