Netherlands Player Says Team Lost Game, Pakistan Didn't Win

Pakistan beat the Netherlands by 3 wickets in a close T20 World Cup match. Netherlands bowler Paul van Meekeren said his team lost the game because of mistakes they made, especially a dropped catch late in the game.
By Newsroom | Cricket, T20 World Cup |

Pakistan Edges Netherlands in T20 World Cup Opener Amidst Late Drama

In a closely contested opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan secured a three-wicket victory over the Netherlands. The match, held on Saturday, February 7, saw the Netherlands team perform strongly for most of the game, pushing Pakistan to the brink of a significant upset. Netherlands' pace bowler Paul van Meekeren voiced his team's frustration, stating that the loss was due to their own errors rather than Pakistan's superior play.

'Pakistan didn't win, we lost game against ourselves': Paul van Meekeren’s blunt verdict after heartbreak loss in T20 WC 2026 first game - 1

The Netherlands set a target of 148 runs for Pakistan. Pakistan, in response, found themselves in a precarious position late in the game, needing 34 runs from 23 balls with seven wickets down. However, a dramatic turnaround orchestrated by Faheem Ashraf, who remained unbeaten on 29 off 11 balls, saw Pakistan cross the finish line with just three balls to spare. This result has left the Netherlands contemplating what could have been, with key moments identified as the turning point.

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'Pakistan didn't win, we lost game against ourselves': Paul van Meekeren’s blunt verdict after heartbreak loss in T20 WC 2026 first game - 2

Match Details and Key Performances

The T20 World Cup 2026 fixture saw the following results:

'Pakistan didn't win, we lost game against ourselves': Paul van Meekeren’s blunt verdict after heartbreak loss in T20 WC 2026 first game - 3
TeamScoreOvers
Netherlands147/820
Pakistan151/719.3

  • Key Performer (Netherlands): Paul van Meekeren, who took two wickets in a single over, contributing to the pressure on the Pakistan batting lineup.

  • Game Changer (Pakistan): Faheem Ashraf, who scored 29 not out from 11 deliveries, including a crucial 24 runs from one over.

The match unfolded with the Netherlands bowling unit demonstrating resilience, holding Pakistan to 114 for 7 in the 17th over. This placed Pakistan in a difficult situation, requiring a significant effort in the final overs.

'Pakistan didn't win, we lost game against ourselves': Paul van Meekeren’s blunt verdict after heartbreak loss in T20 WC 2026 first game - 4

Crucial Moments and Missed Opportunities

The narrative surrounding the Netherlands' defeat centers on specific instances where the game could have swung in their favor. Paul van Meekeren, speaking after the match, emphasized that the team lost the game due to their own execution rather than Pakistan earning the win.

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  • The 19th Over: Van Meekeren identified the penultimate over as the point where the game "slipped away." This over saw significant scoring from Faheem Ashraf, who was also given a reprieve during this phase.

  • The Dropped Catch: A pivotal moment occurred in the 19th over when Faheem Ashraf, then on 7 runs, was dropped by Max O'Dowd at long-on off the bowling of Logan van Beek. This chance, had it been taken, could have dramatically altered the outcome.

  • Ashraf's Recovery: Following the dropped catch, Ashraf capitalized on the opportunity, scoring 24 runs in the remainder of that over. This aggressive batting display shifted the momentum decisively back towards Pakistan.

  • Shadab Khan's Wicket: Another instance highlighted was the dismissal of Shadab Khan early in the 19th over, suggesting that Pakistan was indeed under severe pressure at various stages.

The "Lost Game" Perspective

Paul van Meekeren's sentiment that "Pakistan didn't win the game today; we lost the game against ourselves" encapsulates the prevailing mood within the Netherlands camp. This perspective suggests a feeling of having let a winnable match slip through their grasp due to preventable errors.

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"I want to be very clear. Pakistan didn't win the game today; we lost the game against ourselves." - Paul van Meekeren

This statement implies a strong belief that the Netherlands' performance was sufficiently strong to secure a victory, but critical errors, particularly the dropped catch and subsequent over-rate, proved to be the decisive factors. The team's resilience and fighting spirit were evident throughout the match, but the inability to close out the game at key junctures has led to this critical reflection.

Looking Ahead: Namibia Match

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Netherlands team is focused on their upcoming fixture. Paul van Meekeren expressed support for his teammates and urged them to perform at their best in their next group stage match against Namibia, scheduled for February 10. The team's experience in this close encounter is expected to serve as a learning opportunity as they continue their T20 World Cup campaign.

Conclusion

The T20 World Cup 2026 opener between Pakistan and the Netherlands was a testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport, characterized by a dramatic shift in momentum during the final overs. While Pakistan secured a victory, the Netherlands, through the candid assessment of Paul van Meekeren, believes the game was lost more by their own unforced errors than by Pakistan's decisive play. The dropped catch of Faheem Ashraf in the 19th over and the subsequent onslaught emerged as the central turning point. This outcome leaves the Netherlands with a significant lesson learned about the cost of missed opportunities in high-stakes international cricket, even as they prepare for their next challenge against Namibia.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the cricket match?
Pakistan won the match against the Netherlands. They won by 3 wickets.
Q: What did the Netherlands bowler say about the loss?
Paul van Meekeren said that the Netherlands lost the game because of their own mistakes, not because Pakistan played better.
Q: What was a key moment in the game?
A key moment was when a catch was dropped in the 19th over, which allowed Pakistan to score more runs.
Q: What is next for the Netherlands team?
The Netherlands team will play against Namibia next in the T20 World Cup.