Fran Jonas (C) of New Zealand celebrates the wicket with teammates during the New Zealand White Ferns v Pakistan Women, 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
A superb bowling and fielding effort has helped the White Ferns qualify for the semi-finals of the women's T20 World Cup in the UAE.
They beat Pakistan by 54 runs.
On a difficult batting wicket in Dubai, New Zealand set a target of just 111, but then dismissed Pakistan for 56 in the 12th over.
It is the first time New Zealand has reached the last four at a T20 World Cup since 2016.
Pakistan, who were chasing a big winning margin to have any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals, recorded their lowest ever total at a World Cup.
After deciding to bat first New Zealand made 110 for six.
Again Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer got them off to a good start putting on 41 for the opening wicket off six overs.
Captain Sophie Devine added 19 and Brooke Halliday 22.
Spinner Mashra Sandhu took three wickets.
In reply Pakistan looked to score quickly but also lost top order wickets at regular intervals.
They slipped to 28 for five before captain Fatima Sana and Nida Dar came together and put on 24 for the sixth wicket.
Eden Carson of New Zealand appeals during the New Zealand White Ferns v Pakistan Women, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Sana, who had just returned to the tournament following a family bereavement, top scored with 21, but as soon as she was dismissed, all hope for Pakistan had gone.
Amelia Kerr took three wickets for 14 runs and fellow spinner Eden Carson took two for seven.
"It probably hasn't quite sunk in yet," said New Zealand captain Sophie Devine after the game.
"So incredibly proud of this group and what we've gone through, it's been a long time between drinks so we'll certainly celebrate tonight."
New Zealand finish second in group A behind Australia and will play the winner of group B in the semi-finals.
The final positions in group B will be decided tomorrow when England play West Indies.
England currently top that group with six points, South Africa have six and West Indies have four.