October 14, 2024 – Dubai: The New Zealand women’s cricket team, known as the White Ferns, secured a thrilling semi-final spot at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup after defeating Pakistan by 54 runs. This victory eliminated Pakistan and dashed India’s hopes, solidifying New Zealand’s place alongside Australia in the knockout stage for the first time since 2016,
The match, played on Monday in Dubai, saw New Zealand post 110/6 in challenging conditions. Pakistan faltered under pressure, collapsing to just 56 all out despite an aggressive start. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, returning from a personal bereavement, fought valiantly but lacked support from her teammates. New Zealand’s bowlers Amelia Kerr and Eden Carson led the defense with decisive spells, each taking crucial wickets to ensure victory,
New Zealand’s captain, Sophie Devine, expressed immense pride in her team’s achievement, labeling their performance as quintessentially “Kiwi.” Reflecting on their underdog status, Devine emphasized how New Zealand had been underestimated throughout the tournament. “Probably no one expected us to be here… that’s a bit of a Kiwi way. We sort of fly under the radar,” Devine remarked, clearly overjoyed with their journey so far,
Their road to the semi-finals started with a crucial opening win against India, setting the tone for their group campaign. Despite a subsequent loss to Australia, New Zealand’s victories against Sri Lanka and Pakistan were enough to secure their place. Devine admitted the team had nervously followed India’s narrow loss to Australia, knowing that result would determine their semi-final qualification,
New Zealand will face the winner of the last group game between England and West Indies, eager to continue their impressive campaign. Devine stressed the importance of staying calm and focused: “We’ve spoken a lot about being level. If you ride the highs and lows of cricket too much, it can drain you,” she noted (ICC)
The White Ferns have now turned their focus to winning the tournament, with Devine openly declaring their ambition to “win the bloody thing” as they prepare for the semi-finals on October 18,
| Key Match Details | Score / Result |
|---|---|
| New Zealand vs. Pakistan | New Zealand won by 54 runs |
| New Zealand’s Total (Overs) | 110/6 (20 overs) |
| Pakistan’s Total (Overs) | 56 all out (15.3 overs) |
| Top Performer (NZ) | Amelia Kerr (3/14) |
| Top Performer (PAK) | Fatima Sana (21 runs) |
| Next Match for NZ | Semi-Final: October 18, 2024 |
This victory is not just a milestone but a testament to the growing competitiveness in women’s cricket. With confidence soaring high, the White Ferns look forward to potentially facing Australia in a much-anticipated final showdown,
