New Zealand continued to impress in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 and thrashed Pakistan by 54 runs to book their place in the semi-finals, alongside defending champions Australia. This is the first time since 2016 that the White Ferns have made it to the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Pakistan’s defeat means that India have been knocked out of the tournament as well. If the ‘Women in Blue’ were to qualify, they needed Pakistan to win but not inside 10.4 overs. However, it was the Sophie Devine-led White Ferns side that put on a clinical effort to reach the top four. All their bowlers chipped in beautifully while the fielding was excellent right from the first ball.
After opting to bat first, New Zealand got off to a solid start. The first couple of overs were relatively quiet before the boundaries started to flow and they got to 39 without any loss at the end of the powerplay. However, it was after the powerplay that the Pakistan spinners applied the squeeze.
Nashra Sandhu struck in back-to-back overs, dismissing both the set openers. Georgia Plimmer (17) and Suzie Bates (28) shared a 41-run stand but after that, New Zealand just couldn’t gather momentum. They were able to add just 28 runs in eight overs post the powerplay and also lost three wickets.
Brooke Halliday struck a couple of boundaries in the 15th over to give the White Ferns some impetus. But that didn’t change much. Skipper Sophie Devine also failed to hit any boundaries in her 19 which came off 25 balls. New Zealand huffed and puffed their way to 110/6 in 20 overs despite Pakistan dropping as many as eight catches.
Pakistan collapse to be bowled out for 56 – second-lowest total in Women’s T20 World Cup history
Pakistan had to chase down the target in 10.4 overs to qualify and that’s why they sent Aliya Riaz to open the batting alongside Muneeba Ali. But the move did not pay off. Riaz was out for a three-ball duck in the second over as Eden Carson gave New Zealand an early breakthrough. Ali started well and struck a couple of boundaries but once she fell, it was a procession.
From 19/1, Pakistan slipped to 28/5 in no time. Tahuhu knocked over Ali before Fran Jonas went through Sadaf Shamas. Iram Javed was run out in the same over (5th) and that’s when Pakistan gave up their target of reaching 111 in 10.4 overs.
Skipper Fatima Sana and Nida Dar tried to resurrect the innings. The experienced duo added 24 runs for the sixth wicket before Amelia Kerr had the latter stumped with a beautiful leg-break. Omaima Sohail then fell to Carson in the following over before Kerr wrapped things up in the 12th over. Syeda Aroob Shah was run out before Sana and Sadia Iqbal holed out.
Pakistan were bowled out for a mere 56 which is the second-lowest total in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup and the lowest this year.
This was New Zealand’s third win of the tournament. They beat India by 60 runs before losing to Australia comprehensively but they bounced back to beat Sri Lanka and Pakistan and advance to the knockout stages.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 110/6 (Suzie Bates 28, Brooke Halliday 22, Nashra Sandhu 3/18, Omaima Sohail 1/14) beat Pakistan 56 all out (Fatima Sana 21, Muneeba Ali 15, Amelia Kerr 3/14, Eden Carson 2/7) by 54 runs.