Gull Feroza stars as Pakistan end campaign with victory

Gull Feroza's composed 63 and three-wicket hauls from Ayesha Zafar (3 for 13) and captain Fatima Sana (3 for 12) powered Pakistan to a 37-run victory over Netherlands on Saturday in Bristol. This was Pakistan's first and only win during their Women's T20 World Cup campaign. After Feroza and Ayesha Zafar put together a 79-run stand for the second wicket, Pakistan elected to bat and scored 126 for 6. Pakistan reached 102 for 2 after 15 overs and appeared to be on track for a much larger total thanks to Feroza's 63 runs off 52 balls and nine boundaries, and Zafar's 32 runs off 29 deliveries. However, Netherlands came back strong at the end. Pakistan lost four wickets for just 16 runs in the final five overs as Iris Zwilling (2 for 19), Heather Siegers, Caroline de Lange and Silver Siegers shared the wickets to restrict them to 126 for 6. Netherlands started positively in their chase, with Heather Siegers finding boundaries to rack up 30 on the board in just over three overs. Diana Baig then struck with Siegers' wicket, getting her lbw, and a run out of Phebe Molkenboer in the next over slowed the chase further. Nashra Sandhu, Tuba Hassan, and Ayesha Zafar maintained constant pressure on the batters, making it difficult to locate boundaries as the required rate increased. As wickets continued to fall, Captain Babette de Leede made 30 but lacked support. Fatima Sana then wrapped up the innings with three wickets in the 18th over, including that of de Leede as Netherlands failed to register a victory in their maiden T20 World Cup.