For the first time since 2016, New Zealand advanced to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals by beating Pakistan by 54 runs. Pakistan’s bowling attack was impressive, but their batting and fielding were poor. Several dropped catches sealed Pakistan’s fate, as no batsman could mount a stand against New Zealand’s bowlers. The team’s problems were made worse by its poor fielding performance, which included eight lost receptions.
Even skipper Fatima Sana, one of Pakistan’s most reliable fielders, missed several chances. With this victory, New Zealand won their long-awaited semi-final position as the second-placed team in Group A after Australia finished first. While Pakistan and India finished third and fourth, that unsatisfactory performance repeated the continuous issues Pakistan’s batting unit has faced, which contributed heavily to the team’s elimination from the tournament.
New Zealand Destroys Pakistan Bowling Efforts
Sophie Devine, New Zealand captain, chose to bat first but was delayed by Pakistan’s spin attack, scoring 110 for six from 20 overs. In the case of a massive net run rate swing, Pakistan collapsed to 56 all out. Openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer got the White Ferns off to a strong start, leading them to 39 runs without loss on the powerplay. Plimmer, 20, eventually used aggressiveness when she charged at Nashra Sandhu and skied one to Fatima Sana on 17.
Pakistan took a vice-like grip on the battle with miserly spells from spinners Nashra and Omaima Sohail, while New Zealand went 54 balls without scoring a boundary. Nashra once again inspired a risky stroke from a Kiwi opener, with Bates spooning a high catch to Nida Dar at far on to take the score to 50 for two. Nida and teenager Syeda Aroob Shah put up pressure, but Brooke Halliday hit two fours in the 15th over to give New Zealand’s innings a much-needed boost. Maddy Green and Isabella Gaze battled to a competitive score as New Zealand capitalized on their opportunities.
Pakistan’s Opening Partnership Fails
Aliya Riaz was moved from her normal pinch-hitting role to replace Gull Feroza at the top of the order, giving Pakistan the tournament’s best opening partnership of 13. Pakistan needed to reach its goal of 10.4 overs to make history and, unexpectedly, proceed to the knockout rounds.
The White Ferns were heated up on the pitch as speedster Lea Tahuhu cleaned up Muneeba Ali for 15 to prove their dominance. Fran Jonas’ first over produced two wickets: Sadaf Shamas was clean bowled, and Iram Javed was run out after taking a careless single to the short third. Pakistan’s collapse continued when Rosemary Mair bowled Sidra Amin for a golden duck, leaving them at 28 for five.
The seasoned pair of Fatima and Nida initially calmed the ship, with the former slapping Mair for a magnificent four-through cover in the ninth over. With Nida stumped by Kerr after the two had contributed 32 runs, Pakistan’s final five wickets fell for only four runs, their lowest-ever total in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Final Thoughts
India’s drop from the premier tournament had been completed after New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 54 runs on Monday (October 14) at the Dubai International Stadium. New Zealand eliminated India and Pakistan from the competition by winning their last league match. The New Zealand women’s team had waited years for this opportunity, and it finally came true as they get set to play Australia.
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