India crashed out of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup as New Zealand recorded a comprehensive 54-run win over Pakistan to qualify for the semifinals for the first time since 2016. New Zealand finished with six points from three wins, ending second behind Australia, who topped the group with eight points.
Chasing runs, Pakistan decided to bowl; Sophie Devine's side chose to bat first. Sophie Devine's side elected to bat first and were restricted by the Pakistan spin attack, grafteding to an inordinately below-par total of 110 for six from 20 overs.
India was pinning its hopes on Pakistan knocking off the White Ferns, but their chances had mounted significantly when New Zealand were restricted to 110 after New Zealand opted to bat first. Chasing a massive net run rate swing, Pakistan ended up all out for just 56-the second-lowest all-out total in tournament history-as they finished on the second spot of Group A.
Openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer sent off proceedings on a very good note, steering the White Ferns to 39 without loss from the powerplay.
Bates ticked along at a run-a-ball throughout the first six overs but rode her luck in doing so, surviving an LBW review in the first over and gaining a lifeline when she was dropped at midwicket on 20.
Eventually, the aggressive instincts of 20-year-old Plimmer finally got the better of her as she charged at Nashra Sandhu and skied one to Fatima Sana on 17. Pakistan established a vice-like grip over the contest through miserly spells from spinners Nashra and Omaima Sohail, with New Zealand going full 54 balls without hitting a boundary.
Nashra again coaxed a rash stroke from a Kiwi opener, with Bates spooning a high catch to Nida Dar at long-on to make it 50 for two. Amelia Kerr never got going and Omaima nabbed her first wicket when Kerr picked out Fatima to depart for nine runs from 17 balls. Nida and teenager Syeda Aroob Shah continued the squeeze, but Brooke Halliday peeled off two fours in the 15th over to give New Zealand's innings much-needed impetus.
Pakistan were left to rue a couple of dropped catches as Halliday and captain Sophie Devine built a patient partnership, with the pair dismissed in successive balls at 96 for five. New Zealand took advantage of further missed chances as Maddy Green and Isabella Gaze grafted their way to a competitive score.
With Pakistan's highest opening stand in the tournament at 13, Aliya Riaz was promoted from her usual pinch-hitting role to replace Gull Feroza at the top of the order. Pakistan needed to knock off its target in 10.4 overs to pull off the upset of making a surprise entry into the knockout stages. The gamble failed, and a decision by Devine to open with spinner Eden Carson paid off when Aliya steered a catch to the skipper at mid-on.
The White Ferns were in the middle and seamer Lea Tahuhu wrapped Muneeba Ali for 15 to assert dominance. Sadaf Shamas was clean bowled by Fran Jonas in her first over while Iram Javed was run out when going for a reckless single to short third.
Pakistan's collapse continued as Sidra Amin was bowled by Rosemary Mair for a golden duck as they sank to 28 for five. The experienced pair of Fatima and Nida briefly steadied the ship and the former slapped Mair for a fine four through cover in the ninth over.
The couple scored 32 runs between themselves, but Nida was stumped off Kerr and the last five wickets fell for just four runs, as Pakistan succumbed to their lowest-ever total at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 110/6 in 20 overs (Suzie Bates 28, Brooke Halliday 22; Nashra Sandhu 3-18) bt Pakistan 56 all out in 11.4 overs (Fatima Sana 21; Amelia Kerr 3-14, Eden Carson 2-7) by 54 runs.
Read also| We Will Support Players to Play High-Risk Cricket, Gautam Gambhir
Read also| NZ Ready to Challenge 'Accomplished' Ashwin and Jadeja in Strong Fight, Rachin Ravindra
