India have been officially knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2024 after New Zealand registered an emphatic 54-run win against Pakistan in the last Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday, October 14. The White Ferns have become the second team to reach into the semifinals from Group A alongside Australia.
Ahead of the last Group A match in Dubai, all three of India, Pakistan and New Zealand were in the race for the semifinals. However, the White Ferns were the favourites to take the spot as India didn't had their fates in their hand and Pakistan not enough strong against the two-time runners-up. India hoped for a Pakistan win but that did not happen and the Sophie Devine-led side made it to the semis for the first time since 2016.
The White Ferns registered a pretty comprehensive win. They bowled out the Fatima Sana-led side for just 56, the second-lowest team total in Women's T20 World Cup history. Spinners Amelia Kerr and Eden Carson were the stars with the ball as they shared five wickets between them.
Muneeba Ali came to open alongside Aliya Riaz but Carson struck in the second over, removing Riaz for a duck. Muneeba had taken the aggressive route, making 15 from 11 balls but the experienced pacer Lea Tahuhu cleaned her up. The wickets kept tumbling down as the Women in Green looked for a Net run rate-boosting win. Iram Javed was run out and Sidra Amin was cleaned up by Rosemary Mair as Pakistan were 28/5 in the powerplay. Nida Dar and Fatima were the last hopes but when Amelia Kerr got both of them, the Women in Green were blown away quickly. Pakistan could have themselves qualified for the last four had they chased down the target in 10.4 overs. But in an attempt to win it in rapid duration, the Women in Green folded for just 56.
Earlier, New Zealand laboured to 110/6 after as many as eight catches were dropped by the Pakistan fielders. Suzie Bates was the top-scorer for her 28, while Brooke Halliday made 22 on a pitch that seemed slow. However, the White Ferns did enough and have made it to the second semifinal, which they will play against the winners of Group B.
