Reflecting on the defeat, Edwards admitted the Netherlands were short of the score they had targeted after being bowled out for 147 in 19.5 overs. \u201cWe probably felt 160 probably was going to give us a fair chance. So we were a little bit under and we had to bowl well to get ourselves in there,\u201d he said after the game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked to bat first in the tournament opener, the Netherlands made a brisk start but lost wickets at regular intervals as Pakistan\u2019s spinners tightened their grip through the middle overs. Despite Edwards top-scoring with 37, the innings never quite gained the momentum needed to push past a defendable total.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Still, Edwards believed his bowlers created a genuine opportunity to turn the game around during Pakistan\u2019s chase. \u201cAnd obviously a couple of spells from Roelof (van der Merwe) and Pauly (van Meekeran) got us right in the game,\u201d he said, pointing to a decisive phase where pressure mounted sharply on Pakistan\u2019s batters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Netherlands clawed their way back after Pakistan slipped from a strong position to a middle-order collapse, with Paul van Meekeren delivering a double-wicket maiden that swung momentum. Edwards felt the surface played fair for both sides and rewarded disciplined bowling. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Still, Edwards believed his bowlers created a genuine opportunity to turn the game around during Pakistan\u2019s chase. \u201cAnd obviously a couple of spells from Roelof (van der Merwe) and Pauly (van Meekeran) got us right in the game,\u201d he said, pointing to a decisive phase where pressure mounted sharply on Pakistan\u2019s batters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, late hitting from Faheem Ashraf and a costly dropped catch in the 19th over undid the Netherlands\u2019 hard work, allowing Pakistan to sneak home with nine balls to spare. For Edwards, the narrow loss was a reminder of the unforgiving nature of the format. \u201cYou know, sometimes cricket can be a cruel game.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n