New Zealand through, India out as Pakistan thumped

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP):

NEW ZEALAND reached their first Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals in eight years after dismissing Pakistan for a record-low 56 yesterday.

Wrist spinner Amelia Kerr picked up 3-14 and New Zealand won by 54 runs in the last Group A clash.

New Zealand had to win to knock out India and join defending champions Australia in the semi-finals. Pakistan had a slim chance but fell to the second-lowest score in the T20 World Cup’s 25-year history.

Opener Suzie Bates scored 28 off 29 balls to help New Zealand register 110-6. Then they fielded brilliantly to dismiss Pakistan in 11.4 overs. They were led by Kerr, off-spinner Eden Carson, who took two wickets, and two run outs.

Captain proud

“Incredibly proud of this group; 2016 was the last semi-final we made. We will celebrate tonight,” New Zealand captain Sophie Devine said.

“Results have not gone our way leading into this tournament. But the thing I am most proud of is, we stuck to the processes. When we get it right, we can beat any team in the world.”

The last Group B match between England and West Indies today will determine the semi-final matchups. Both teams and South Africa are in contention.

New Zealand opted to bat and made a good start of 41 off 39 balls between Suzie Bates and Georgia Palmer (17).

Bates hit three fours in her 28 before she fell to left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu, who took 3-18.

Kerr fell for nine but a 38-run partnership between Devine (19) and Brooke Halliday (22) helped them to a sub-par total but a challenging one for Pakistan’s gung-ho but frail batting.

Opener Muneeba Ali scored 15 off 11 without any support from the top order. Skipper Fatima Sana returned to the line-up and top-scored with 21 but they were the only two batters to reach double digits.

New Zealand’s persistent attack reduced Pakistan to 28-5 in 5.4 overs. A second collapse saw Pakistan lose their last five wickets for four runs in 12 deliveries to exit the tournament.

“We need to improve our batting, otherwise we cannot survive in women’s cricket,” Sana said.

The only lower total in tournament history was Bangladesh’s 46 against hosts West Indies in 2018. Pakistan’s previous low was 60 against hosts England in 2009.