Netherlands fielder mocks Babar Azam [Source: X]In what can be called a super anti-climactic event, Pakistan fell flat on its face while chasing the Netherlands’ 148 runs in the inaugural T20 World Cup 2026 clash. Babar Azam, who was handed the responsibility to guide the chase, in a risky attempt to ease off the required run rate pressure, gave away his wicket to Roelof van der Merwe. Babar Azam came in to bat at No. 4, a few positions down from his natural batting position, and it didn’t sit well with the ‘King’. Babar Azam failed to convert a success with the bat as he was dismissed for just 15 runs from 18 balls, as he struck at only 83.3. Pakistan was under pressure before Babar Azam’s arrival Pakistan were under fair pressure after Saim Ayub, Pakistan’s opener, fell on the fourth ball of the third over, with the scoreboard reading 27 for 1. It was an early and unexpected wicket for Pakistan, as the openers were expected to at least take the game past the 60-run mark against a low-spirited Netherlands before losing one. However, Saim Ayub’s dismissal soon made way for another setback, as skipper Salman Ali Agha, who came in at number three, was also dismissed before the powerplay on the fifth ball of the fourth over. This brought Babar Azam to the crease, where he partnered Sahibzada Farhan. Babar Azam fails to lead team with the bat As Babar Azam started cautiously, the required run rate slowly began to climb. To ease the pressure, Babar attempted to play the big shots. On the fourth ball of the 12th over, bowled by Van der Merwe, he faced a flighted, full delivery outside off stump. Babar, who usually stays grounded while playing his shots, chose to use his feet and dance down the track to attempt a lofted hit. However, he mistimed the shot, failing to connect cleanly. The ball went straight to long-off, where Netherlands fielder Kyle Klein took a comfortable catch, sending Babar Azam back. Kyle Klein mocks Babar Azam with 'duck' danceKlein celebrated the big wicket aggressively with Van der Merwe, while Babar walked back towards the pavilion with his head down. After completing the catch, Klein also performed a brief duck dance as part of his celebration.Star Sports @StarSportsIndia The pressure is back on Pakistan! 😮💨 Babar Azam is caught as half of the side is back into the hut! Will Netherlands pull off an upset here? 🤔 ICC Men's #T20WorldCup | #PAKvNED | LIVE NOW 👉 Feb 7, 2026, 2:19 PM The pressure mounted further on Pakistan as they struggled to keep pace with the chase following Babar Azam’s dismissal. Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan were dismissed in quick succession in the 17th over, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble at 114 for 7.Nevertheless, Faheem Ashraf steadied the innings and finished the chase with a blistering 29 off just 11 balls, guiding Pakistan to a hard-fought three-wicket victory in their opening group-stage match of the T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan successfully restrict Netherlands inside 150 Earlier for the Netherlands, Michael Levitt played a solid opening knock of 24 off 15 balls, while Bas de Leede chipped in with 30 runs. Colin Ackermann added 20, and skipper Scott Edwards top-scored with 37, which helped the Netherlands post a total of 147 before they were bundled out in the 20th over. From Pakistan’s side, Salman Mirza was the highest wicket-taker with three wickets, while Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub picked up two wickets each, with Mohammad Nawaz also contributing.
