After taking 2-19 against Pakistan at the County Ground in Bristol, Netherlands fast bowler Iris Zwilling said the team finally managed to execute their tournament plan: hit the deck hard, keep the ball down, and avoid floating deliveries.
Bristol felt different for the Netherlands on Saturday. At the County Ground, Iris Zwilling finally saw their bowling plan land—exactly the way she had wanted it to.
The fast bowler delivered a tight spell of 2-19 against Pakistan in the ongoing 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. and it helped restrict Pakistan to 126/6. In a mid-innings chat with the broadcasters. Zwilling said she was pleased that the idea the team had been discussing all tournament—hitting the deck as hard as possible—had clicked.
“The plan was to just hit the deck as hard as I can, really try not to float the ball up there,” Zwilling said. “And I think today that finally clicked. So I’m pretty happy with that.”
For Zwilling, the satisfaction wasn’t just about the figures. It was about control—bowling tight lines and keeping the ball low enough to make life difficult for batters.
She also explained that the Netherlands had been dealing with batting-friendly surfaces across the competition. In her view, that contrast had forced the bowling unit to adjust quickly.
“Obviously we play on really, really good batting pitches,” she said. “And I think coming from where we come from, we don’t always have that experience. So it’s something that we had to adjust to pretty quickly.”
Zwilling said that in parts, the Netherlands had shown they could still bowl to good batters at good grounds on good wickets. Saturday’s low total from Pakistan—126/6—was something she pointed to as proof.
“It’s nice to, you know, see that back in a total today with just a low total,” she added.
The spell gave the Netherlands a clear path in the chase. With Pakistan posting 126/6, the Netherlands needed 127 to win—and for Zwilling, the momentum from the bowling innings carried into her confidence in the batting line-up.
“I guess I’m still a bit high on adrenaline from the bowling innings,” she said. “I think it’s outside the leg-stump that comes a bit later.”
She then backed her team’s ability to get the target. Zwilling said the Netherlands have shown in the tournament that they have a strong batting unit, capable of chasing down 127.
“I back them all the way, and I think this is a really good opportunity for us, and it’s within arm’s reach,” she said.
For the Netherlands, the night’s work with the ball wasn’t just about restricting runs. It was about finally making their bowling identity match the pitch at the County Ground in Bristol—and creating a first-ever chance to turn that into a win in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Iris Zwilling Netherlands vs Pakistan Bristol County Ground 2-19 bowling Pakistan 126/6 Netherlands chase 127