New Zealand beat Pakistan by 54 runs on Monday to advance to the semifinals of the Women’s T20 World Cup, eliminating India in the process.
India’s fate hinged on the result of the New Zealand-Pakistan match after Sunday’s loss to Australia, in which the defending champions advanced to the semi-finals.
But it was the White Ferns who advanced to the last four for the first time in eight years, and Pakistan’s knockout hopes ended when they were bowled out for 56 in just 11.4 overs chasing a target of 111.
This was the second lowest score in the 25-year history of the T20 World Cup.
Opener Suzie Bates scored 28 runs off 29 balls to help New Zealand post 110-6.
They then brilliantly dismissed Pakistan with off-spinner Eden Carson taking two wickets and making two runs out.
New Zealand chose to bat and got off to a good start with 41 off 39 balls between Suzie Bates and Georgia Palmer (17).
Bates hit 4 for 3 at 28 before falling to left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu, who took 3-18.
Amelia Kerr fell for 9 but a 38-run partnership between skipper Sophie Devine (19) and Brooke Halliday (22) helped her score a challenging score against Pakistan’s weak batting.
Opener Muneeba Ali scored 15 runs off 11 hits, while skipper Fatima Sana returned to the line-up and top-scored with 21 runs, but only two batsmen reached double figures.
New Zealand’s sustained attack reduced Pakistan to 28-5 after 5.4 overs and a second collapse saw Pakistan lose its last five wickets in the tournament for four runs from 12 deliveries.
The only low total in the history of the tournament was Bangladesh’s 46 against hosts West Indies in 2018.
Pakistan’s previous lowest performance was 60 against hosts England in 2009.
