Pakistan rounded off their ICC Women's T20 World Cup campaign with a welcome dose of sweet success, downing winless Netherlands by 37 runs at Old Trafford. But what a thrilling rollercoaster ride it was! The Dutch batting line-up imploded spectacularly, losing their last seven wickets for just 13 runs after being 76-3 – the perfect storm of calamity that left them all out for 89.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan posted a respectable total of 126-6 from their allotted 20 overs. And what a foundation they laid down! Gull Feroza's majestic unbeaten 63 off just 52 deliveries was the stuff of legends, ably supported by Ayesha Zafar's 32 runs – the pair stitching together a vital 79-run partnership that held the Dutch attack at bay for 61 deliveries. It wasn't all smooth sailing, though; five Pakistani batters failed to reach double figures. But credit where it's due: Iris Zwilling was the pick of the Dutch bowlers, snapping up 2-19.
Netherlands began their chase with some real intent, thanks largely to Heather Siegers' scintillating knock of 24 runs off just 16 balls – she fell leg before wicket to Diana Baig's clever bowling. Babette de Leede then tried to steady the ship with a composed 30 runs from 41 deliveries. But as the required run-rate started to balloon, the pressure mounted on the Dutch batting order.
And then it all came crashing down! The Netherlands crumbled from 76-3 to 89 all out in just four overs – an astonishing collapse that left them reeling. Fatima Sana sealed their fate with two wickets in successive deliveries, dismissing De Leede and Silver Siegers in quick succession. Although Caroline de Lange survived the hat-trick ball, she was bowled just two balls later, confirming Pakistan's victory.
This hard-fought win may bring some solace to Pakistan, who had already been eliminated from the tournament. For the Netherlands, it marks the end of a challenging campaign where they were unable to secure a single win – a harsh reality check that highlights the gulf between them and the more established cricketing nations in this format.