Gull Feroza gave Pakistan a late World Cup answer with the bat, but the timing of it will sting.
Pakistan beat Netherlands by 37 runs in Bristol on Saturday, with Feroza’s half-century and Syeda Aroob Shah’s control helping seal a consolation result in Group 1 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The result will not rescue Pakistan’s tournament, but it does sharpen the post-campaign question: why did this version of their top order arrive only after qualification pressure had gone?
Feroza changes the tone too late
ESPNcricinfo’s match report recorded Pakistan’s win as Feroza and Muneeba Ali gave the innings its early shape before Netherlands fell short in the chase.
That matters because Pakistan’s previous defeat had already left this fixture framed as a dead rubber. Feroza’s response still carried selection value, though. She gave Pakistan a cleaner powerplay base, reduced the drag on the middle order and allowed the bowlers to defend with scoreboard pressure rather than scramble for control.
The frustration is obvious: Pakistan finally found a more coherent batting rhythm when the table damage had already been done.
Netherlands miss their last opening
For Netherlands, this was another reminder that competitive passages are not enough at World Cup level. Their chase never fully escaped Pakistan’s squeeze, leaving the lower order with too much to manufacture.
The broader lesson for Pakistan is harsher but useful. Feroza has given them evidence for the next cycle; the campaign has shown how expensive delayed clarity can be.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo match report and live scorecard; ICC tournament centre.
