By
SABC Sport
27th June 2026
Pakistan get up to defeat the Dutch
A fine allround display from Ayesha Zafar helped Pakistan finish their ICC Women's T20 World Cup on a high note as they beat the Netherlands by 37 runs.
Ayesha scored 32 in a 94-run partnership with Gull Feroza as Pakistan, with a world ranking of eight, made 126-6 from their 20 overs.
And after a good start from the Dutch, that proved more than enough, thanks in large part to Ayesha's 3- 13 with the ball, with captain Fatima Sana chipping in with the final three wickets to wrap up the win.
Tournament debutants the Netherlands, ranked 14th in the world, were right in the match for large parts, but struggled to pick up the scoring rate against the Pakistani spinners, before Ayesha swung the game Pakistan's way for good.
Ayesha took a double wicket maiden, trapping Robine Rijke (6) leg before and then having Sanya Khurana stumped for a duck.
And her next over effectively clinched the win for Pakistan, Saira Jabeen taking a brilliant catch to remove Frederique Overdijk before Ayesha and Muneeba Ali combined to run out Iris Zwilling.
Ireland shock West Indies to throw group wide open
Ireland shocked the West Indies with a six-wicket victory in Bristol to throw the cat among the pigeons in the group with the semifinal spots going into the final game.
The Windies batted first but will be disappointed with their effort as they only reached a total of 128-7 in their 20 overs.
Chinelle Henry top-scored with unbeaten 27 while captain Hayley Matthews contributed 22 and Deandra Dottin 21 but they wilted in the face of some excellently disciplined bowling from the Irish.
Orla Prendergast then broke the back the back of the run-chase with a composed 63 from 44 balls while Amy Hunter struck 28 as Ireland sealed the victory with 11 balls to spare.
It has been a great couple of days for Irish cricket after the men beat India for the ever in international cricket on Friday while the women have now picked up their maiden T20 World Cup win.
