Bristol: Ayesha Jafar took three wickets for 32 runs as Netherlands beat Pakistan by 37 runs in the 26th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the County Ground on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 127 runs, the Netherlands team paddled out and were bowled out for 89 runs in 18 overs.
Captain Babette De Leete struggled for the Netherlands with a cautious 30 off 41 balls, while right-arm opener Heather Seegers, who scored 24 off 16 balls, was the only other Dutch batsman to score double figures.
Ayesha and skipper Fatima Sana capped Pakistan’s bowling with three wickets each, while Nashra Sandhu and Diana Baig chipped in with a scalp each.
Pakistan captain Fatima’s decision to bat first paid off as they amassed 126/6 in 20 overs, aided by a second-wicket partnership from Ayesha and Feroza.
However, the Green Shirts started to lose the game with just 15 runs as they lost left-arm opener Muneeba (12) off the first delivery of the fourth over.
After stumbling early on, Ayesha joined Feroza in the middle and the duo batted smartly to add 79 runs for the second wicket at a blistering pace, laying the foundation for a big score.
Taking revenge on Ayesha who hit her for a first-ball six, the Silver Seegers finally broke the stand in the 14th over. The right-handed batsman was out again after scoring 32 off 29 balls with 2 fours and a six.
With Ayesha out, Pakistan skipper Fatima decided to improve herself and walked out to bat at No. 4, but the move proved futile as she collected three before falling to Iris Swilling in the 16th over.
Pakistan suffered another setback in the next over when Ayman Fatima, making her maiden Women’s T20 World Cup, was sent back by Caroline de Lange after being ducked in six balls.
Heather Seegers dealt another blow to Pakistan’s batting charge in the last over by dismissing Iram Javed, who could only take two off five balls, while Swilling dismissed Saira Zabeen (five) in the last over.
Feroza, meanwhile, took his bat to the rafters and returned to top score with an unbeaten 63 off 52 balls with 9 fours, which earned him the man of the match award.
Zwilling was the best bowler for the Netherlands, taking two wickets for 19 runs in his four overs, while Hannah Landhir, Heather, Silver and de Lange each claimed a scalp.