The opening match of the T20 World Cup in Colombo produced drama, tension, and heartbreak in equal measure, particularly for the Netherlands. Despite pushing Pakistan to the brink, the Dutch side fell agonisingly short, prompting an unusually blunt and emotional post-match reaction from Paul van Meekeren.
Speaking after the match, van Meekeren did not sugar-coat the result. In his view, this was not a game Pakistan wrestled away—it was one the Netherlands let slip.
“I want to be very clear—Pakistan didn’t win the game today. We lost the game against ourselves.”
It was a striking statement, but one that reflected just how close the Netherlands came to pulling off one of the most significant upsets of the tournament.
A Match the Netherlands Controlled for Long Periods
For large stretches of the game, the Netherlands appeared to be in control. Batting first, they negotiated the powerplay confidently, reaching 50 for 2 without undue alarm. The foundation was solid, and with wickets in hand, the platform was set for a competitive total.
By the 15th over, the Netherlands were well placed at 123 for 4, with captain Scott Edwards settled at the crease. At that stage, a score in the region of 165–170 looked achievable—more than enough to apply pressure on Pakistan in Colombo conditions.
However, momentum can be cruelly fragile in T20 cricket. A sudden collapse—three wickets in five deliveries—derailed the innings completely. Instead of accelerating in the death overs, the Netherlands stumbled, eventually limping to 147. On a surface that favoured disciplined bowling, it was competitive, but it was not the total they believed they deserved.
Bowling Brilliance and a Pakistani Collapse
If the batting innings ended with frustration, the bowling effort that followed was full of belief and intensity. The Netherlands bowlers exploited the conditions superbly, applying relentless pressure on a Pakistan batting lineup that never truly looked comfortable.
Van Meekeren himself was at the heart of the fightback, finishing with impressive figures of 2 for 20. His spell coincided with one of the most dramatic phases of the match. A stunning sliding catch by Roelof van der Merwe removed the dangerous Sahibzada Farhan, and just two balls later, Usman Khan chopped on.
Suddenly, Pakistan were wobbling.
The pressure intensified as Babar Azam was dismissed soon after, followed by a scratchy innings from Mohammad Nawaz coming to a painful end. When Shadab Khan was strangled down the leg side at the start of the next over, Pakistan’s chase looked to be unravelling completely.
At that point, belief surged through the Netherlands camp. The giants were wobbling. History felt close.
The Moment That Changed Everything
With Pakistan needing 23 runs off 11 balls, the Netherlands were firmly in the driver’s seat—even after a six from Faheem Ashraf. Then came the decisive moment.
A high skier from the last recognised Pakistan batter went into the night sky. In another universe, as van Meekeren later reflected, Max O’Dowd holds on. Pakistan collapse. The Netherlands seal a famous victory.
In this universe, the catch went down.
That single error shifted the balance. Pakistan survived, regrouped, and crossed the line—leaving the Netherlands to confront the cruel margins that define World Cup cricket.
“Small Margins Decide World Cups”
Reflecting on where things went wrong, van Meekeren was candid but measured. He acknowledged that Pakistan deserved credit for taking the game deep but remained convinced his side had the upper hand for much of the contest.
“I think the one thing I have to give Pakistan credit for is taking the game deep,” he said. “But we probably should have taken our batting innings deeper as well. You can see what happens if you have a set batter in the last two overs.”
According to van Meekeren, conditions were perfectly suited to the Dutch bowling attack. The pressure was on Pakistan, and for a while, it told. Ultimately, though, execution in the crucial moments fell just short.
“These World Cup moments—it’s small margins. Sometimes one ball. Right now, it’s a very disappointing feeling.”
Pride, Culture, and a Team That Refuses to Fold
Despite the heartbreak, van Meekeren was quick to highlight the positives. He praised the resilience and culture within the Netherlands setup, emphasising the team’s “never say die” attitude.
“I’m very proud of the guys. To fight back after Pakistan’s strong start with the bat shows the culture we’ve created in this team.”
That sense of unity will be vital, especially with little time to dwell on what might have been. The Netherlands fly to India on Sunday ahead of their next group match on February 10.
Eyes Already on the Next Challenge
There is no luxury of reflection in a World Cup. Van Meekeren knows that while the dressing room is hurting, the focus must quickly shift forward—particularly with a clash against Namibia looming.
“We’re a very close team,” he said. “There are guys who are really disappointed, but we stand behind them. We back them all the way for the next game.”
Crucially, van Meekeren stressed that the team does not need to reinvent itself—only to be the best version of what it already is.
“They don’t even need to turn it around,” he added. “Just be the best they can be and win the next game for us.”
A Loss That Still Signals Progress
While the scoreboard will record this as another defeat for the Netherlands, performances like this send a clear message. Against one of cricket’s traditional powerhouses, they were not merely competitive—they were, for long periods, the better side.
If World Cups are defined by moments, then this match may yet prove defining—not for the pain it caused, but for the belief it reinforced. For the Netherlands, the message is clear: they belong on this stage, and sooner rather than later, these narrow losses may turn into landmark victories.
