Pakistan didn't win, we lost against ourselves: Netherlands' pacer Paul Van Meekeren

Netherlands pacer Paul van Meekeren said his team lost against themselves in their narrow T20 World Cup defeat to Pakistan. The Dutch quick rued missed chances that could have potentially ended Pakistan's campaign early.

Netherlands pacer Paul van Meekeren said his side lost their T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan on Saturday due to poor execution in the closing overs, rather than their opponents earning the win. The fast bowler insisted the Netherlands were the better team for large parts but failed to finish clinically when it mattered.

The defeat also meant the Dutch missed a golden chance to potentially send Pakistan crashing out early. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Van Meekeren made it clear that the result was more about Netherlands losing against themselves than Pakistan winning.

T20 World Cup PAK vs NED: Highlights | Full Scorecard

“We deserved to win that game and should have potentially sent Pakistan home after today, so yeah it's a shame, but it is what it is," Van Meekeren said.

“I mean, we're a very close team, so obviously there are a few guys who are actually disappointed in the changing room, but we stand behind them, we back them all the way for the next game to turn it around, they don't even need to turn it around, just to be the best they can be and win the next game for us against Namibia," he added.

Van Meekeren himself played a key role in sparking Pakistan’s collapse, returning figures of 2/20. His spell included the wicket of the dangerous Sahibzada Farhan on 47 and a golden duck for Usman Khan, putting Pakistan under unexpected pressure.