Women's Twenty20 World Cup, Dubai
New Zealand 110-6 (20 overs): Bates 28 (29); Nashra 3-18
Pakistan 56 (11.4 overs): Sana 21 (23); Kerr 3-14
New Zealand won by 54 runs
New Zealand have sealed their place in the semifinals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup after beating Pakistan by 54 runs in their final group game in Dubai. The result on Monday (Oct 14) means India will exit the tournament at the group stage by finishing third on the Group A points table behind New Zealand and Australia.
New Zealand booked their place in the semi-finals of the Women's T20 World Cup with a comprehensive 54-run win over Pakistan in Dubai.
Pakistan needed to chase their target of 111 within 10.4 overs to keep themselves in knockout contention via net run-rate, but paid the price for their aggressive intent by slumping to 56 all out in 11.4 overs.
Despite collapsing to 28-5 after the six-over powerplay, the Pakistan batters kept attacking to keep their hopes alive rather than simply settle for a comfortable chase of less than a run-a-ball.
New Zealand's batters had earlier struggled against Pakistan's spin attack, who expertly stifled the run-rate in the middle overs but were let down in the field with eight catches put down.
Suzie Bates was dropped twice in her 28, the innings' top score, and then crucially three were put down in the final over which allowed Maddy Green and Izzy Gaze to scamper nine extra runs.
But while their 110-6 felt below-par, New Zealand were rewarded for a disciplined all-round bowling effort with some assistance from Pakistan's chaotic but understandable approach.
Leg-spinner Melie Kerr starred with 3-14 while fellow spinner Eden Carson took 2-7.
It is New Zealand's first semi-final in either white-ball format since 2016, and they join six-time winners Australia from Group A with India eliminated.
They will face the winner of Group B which will be either South Africa, England or West Indies, with the latter two teams playing on Tuesday.
