Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: New Zealand‘s commanding 54-run victory over Pakistan in Dubai on Monday eliminated India from the Women’s T20 World Cup and secured the White Ferns a spot in the semifinals for the first time since the 2016 edition.
India’s only chance of making the semifinals hinged on a Pakistan win with an inferior Net Run-rate.
Despite Pakistan’s efforts to restrict New Zealand to a meagre 110 for six in 20 overs, their batting crumbled badly, resulting in being shot out for 56 in just 11.4 overs.
Australia topped Group A with eight points, while New Zealand came second with six points. India’s loss to New Zealand in their tournament opener ultimately cost them a place in the last four.
Spinner Amelia Kerr took three wickets, but seamers Lea Tahuhu (1/8) and Eden Carson (2/7) opened the floodgates for New Zealand. Pakistan needed to reach the target in less than 12 overs to qualify but were all out before that.
Earlier, Pakistani spinners Omaima Sohail (1/14 in 4 overs) and Nashra Sandhu (3/18 in 4 overs) applied pressure on the New Zealand batters, delivering 21 dot balls and taking four wickets between them for only 29 runs.
Despite the efforts of openers Suzie Bates (28) and Georgia Plimmer (17), who added 41 runs for the opening stand, the Pakistani spinners managed to restrict New Zealand to a modest total.
