Paul van Meekeren believes the Netherlands themselves misplaced the match: Pakistan performed in opposition to Netherlands within the opening match of the 2026 T20 World Cup. It was a last-over thriller because the Males in Inexperienced defeated the Netherlands with three balls to spare within the remaining over. Pakistan restricted the Netherlands to only 147. They had been in an excellent part whereas chasing.
After the eleventh over, the match went from 98-2 to 114-7 in favor of the Dutch, with Pakistan dropping 5 wickets for 16 runs. Nonetheless, Faheem Ashraf’s heroics within the nineteenth over helped Salman Ali Agha’s aspect win the primary match. Needing 29 off 12 deliveries, Faheem Ashraf charged Logan van Beek.
Faheem Ashraf stands in the course of the Dutch victory
The Pakistan all-rounder smashed Van Beek for twenty-four runs within the over, altering the course of the match and securing two factors for his workforce with three wickets to spare. This victory is available in view of the debacle happening between India and Pakistan. Had Pakistan stumbled in opposition to the Netherlands, their probabilities of making it to the Tremendous 8 stage would have taken an enormous hit.
After the match, Dutch pacer Paul van Meekeren spoke about their efficiency. He believes they deserved to win however had been left with a missed alternative to win the sport. “It is disappointing as a result of we deserved to win that sport and we might have despatched Pakistan dwelling after right this moment, however that is the truth,” Van Meekeren mentioned.
“Clearly there are some people who find themselves actually upset.” – Paul van Meekeren
Paul van Meekeren mentioned: “So we’re a really shut workforce, so clearly there are some gamers within the altering room who’re actually upset, however we’re rooting for them and rooting for all of them the way in which to return again within the subsequent sport. They do not even want to return again, simply to do the perfect we are able to and win the subsequent sport in opposition to Namibia.”
“I am very pleased with our gamers. I imply, we most likely did not get the runs we needed, however the way in which we countered Pakistan’s sturdy begin with the bat reveals the tradition we have in-built our workforce and our never-give-up angle.”
Netherlands reward match to Pakistan
Paul van Meekeren concluded: “Let me be clear: Pakistan didn’t win the sport right this moment. We misplaced the sport in opposition to ourselves. We had been the higher workforce right this moment and we deserved to win that sport, particularly within the bowling division.” Paul van Meekeren completed with 2 hits for 20 in 4 overs.
The Netherlands will face Namibia and Pakistan will play the USA, who performed a terrific sport in opposition to defending champions India on Saturday evening.
It is going to be very troublesome for the Males in Inexperienced to get a win within the group stage format in opposition to the workforce they misplaced within the final Tremendous Over. The latter match shall be one to observe.
Additionally learn: ‘Allah, Jay, cease it’: Faheem Ashraf credit Pakistan-Netherlands jailbreak to divine intervention
