ICC Women’s T20 WC
Dubai, Oct 14: New Zealand qualification for the knockout stages of the tournament comes at the expense of both India and Pakistan, following a 54-run win for the White Ferns in Dubai on Monday.
Matchday pponents Pakistan knew they could qualify if they chased down a target of 111 in quick time, while India would have qualified instead of both teams had Pakistan still gone on to win in slower fashion.
But a combination of superb bowling from New Zealand and a gung-ho approach from Pakistan saw the match race to a conclusion in just 11.4 overs of the second innings, as Pakistan crashed to 56 all out.
Earlier, Suzie Bates top-scored with 28 and plenty of New Zealand batters got starts, but Pakistan’s spinners kept the total under control, with Nashra Sandhu the pick of the bowlers with 3/18.
Catches were shelled throughout the innings under the lights in Dubai, and the eventual size of the target, coupled with the NRR equation, proved too much for Pakistan in the end.
With a tantalising target of needing to reach their 111 runs in 10.4 overs to progress on NRR, Pakistan came out swinging at the start of the second innings, with Muneeba Ali (15 from 11) setting the tone. But Muneeba, Aliya Riaz (0), Sadaf Shamas (2) and Iram Javed (3) all departed early as the required rate began to soar. And wickets continued to tumble as attacking intent undid Pakistan.
Fatima Sana was the only batter other than Muneeba to reach double figures, hitting an excellent 21 (23). But she had little support and the game rushed to a conclusion as Pakistan were bowled out for just 56.. (Agencies)