New Zealand have reached the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, against subcontinental countries like India and Pakistan. New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 54 runs in Dubai and finished the group stage with three wins out of four matches.
New Zealand had scored 110 for 6 in their innings, which was a bit less for this format, but Pakistan were all out for just 56 runs. Amelia Kerr (3-14) and Eden Carson (2-7) opened the way to victory for New Zealand. Pakistan made their lowest score in WT20Is and dropped 8 catches in the field which was a bad day for them.
Although, Pakistan had a chance to qualify, they had to chase the target in 10.4 overs to leave India and New Zealand behind on NRR. They decided to send Aliya Riaz up the order but the decision proved to be futile as Riaz was caught at mid-off by Eden Carson on 0. But Muneeba Ali, who survived an LBW shout and a drop catch from Rosemary Mair’s bowling. She hit a boundary over the bowler’s head and then bowled out Tahuhu in the next over.
Experienced Tahuhu bowled Muneeba with a full inswinger which sent her back on just 15. The chase then began when Fran Jonas bowled Sadaf Shamas on his first ball and Iram Javed was run out by Tahuhu with a direct hit.
Nida Dar and Fatima Sana realised that the target would be difficult for them to cross in 10.4 overs and so they decided to play for the win and also hit a few boundaries. But Kerr surprised everyone with a nice flighted delivery which saw Isabella Gaze stumped with ease.
Omaima Sohail and Syed Aroob Shah also went back to the pavilion in the next two overs. Fatima Sana was caught by Suzie Bates which ended Pakistan’s resistance. Soon, Kerr ended the match by giving a simple catch to Bates to Sadia Iqbal.
At first, New Zealand took a steady start with Bates and Georgia Plimmer. Occasionally taking boundary and strike rotations, they scored 39 for 0 in the Powerplay. Nashra Sandhu dismissed Plimmer in her first over and ended the scoring rate.
Sandhu’s slow pace dismissed Bates in the next over, and the veteran batter was caught at long-on. In an attempt to release the pressure, Kerr was also dismissed and suddenly New Zealand were 67 for 3 in 14 overs. Brooke Halliday and Sophie Devine added 38 runs to take New Zealand close to the 100-run mark. Gaze and Maddy Green took them past the three-figure mark, which was eventually enough to take the White Ferns to their first T20 World Cup semi-final since 2016.
