New Zealand Qualifies for Semis, India and Pakistan knocked out

Dubai [UAE], October 14, 2024: New Zealand secured their place in the knockout stages of the tournament with a decisive 54-run victory over Pakistan in Dubai on Monday, ending both India and Pakistan's hopes of qualification.

Pakistan faced the challenge of chasing a target of 111 to qualify quickly. India would have advanced if Pakistan had achieved a slower win. However, a combination of stellar bowling by New Zealand and an aggressive but flawed batting approach by Pakistan led to a swift collapse. The match ended in just 11.4 overs, with Pakistan bowled out for a mere 56 runs.

Earlier in the match, Suzie Bates top-scored for New Zealand with 28, while multiple batters made starts. Pakistan's spinners, led by Nashra Sandhu, who claimed 3/18, managed to keep the total manageable. However, dropped catches throughout the innings under the Dubai lights allowed New Zealand to post a competitive score. The final target and net run rate (NRR) pressure ultimately proved too much for Pakistan.

Pakistan's chase began with the team needing to reach the target of 111 within 10.4 overs to advance on NRR. Opener Muneeba Ali set the tone with a brisk 15 off 11 balls, but early wickets, including Muneeba, Aliya Riaz (0), Sadaf Shamas (2), and Iram Javed (3), saw Pakistan’s required run rate soar beyond reach.

Fatima Sana was the only batter to put up resistance after Muneeba, scoring a solid 21 off 23 deliveries. But with little support from her teammates, Pakistan’s innings ended abruptly at 56.

Melie Kerr delivered standout bowling for New Zealand, taking 3/14, including key wickets like Fatima Sana and Nida Dar. Kerr's performance came after Eden Carson had already dampened Pakistan’s hopes with 2/7 from her three overs, creating unrelenting pressure on the opposition.

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to bat first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The White Ferns made a steady start, reaching 39/0 at the end of the powerplay, with Bates and Georgia Plimmer looking confident. However, Nashra Sandhu brought Pakistan back into the game by dismissing both openers. Plimmer scored 17 from 14 balls, while Bates contributed 28 from 29 deliveries.

Melie Kerr struggled with the bat, managing only 9 off 17 balls before being caught by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana. Sophie Devine (19) and Brooke Halliday (22) rebuilt New Zealand’s innings, but Pakistan's spinners kept the score within reach.

Despite Pakistan’s bowling efforts, eight dropped catches, including three in the final over, allowed New Zealand to reach 110/6, which ultimately proved to be a winning total.