India knocked out of 2024 Women's T20 World Cup as New Zealand seal semis berth with 54-run win over Pakistan
India's hopes of reaching the semifinals of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup were crushed following New Zealand's 54-run win over Pakistan on Monday, October 14. The Women in Blue needed Pakistan to pull off an upset over the Kiwis to make it to the knockout round. That wasn't to be as the White Ferns booked their place in the semifinals with a convincing win over Pakistan in the Group A clash.
Batting first after winning the toss in match number 19 of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, New Zealand were held to 110-6. Suzie Bates top-scored with 28 off 29, while Brooke Halliday contributed 22 off 24. For Pakistan, Nashra Sandhu claimed 3-18. However, the fielding side dropped as many as eight catches, including three in the last over.
Pakistan were equally abysmal in the chase and folded up for 56 in 11.4 overs. Skipper Fatima Sana (21 off 23) and Muneeba Ali (15 off 11) were the only batters from the team to reach double figures. For New Zealand, Amelia Kerr claimed 3-14 and Eden Carson 2-7. With the thumping win, the White Ferns progressed to the semifinals of the Women's T20 World Cup for the first time since 2016.
Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were five down for 28 inside the powerplay. Fatima Sana and Nida Dar (9) took the score past the 50-run mark, but the batting side suffered another shocking collapse and went from 52-5 to 56 all-out in a matter of minutes.
India finish 3rd in Group A as Australia, New Zealand qualify for semifinals of 2024 Women's T20 World Cup
Team India went into the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup with high hopes. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur even described the squad as the best that the Women in Blue have ever picked for a T20 World Cup campaign.
India, however, got off to a false start, going down to New Zealand by 58 runs in their opening match in Dubai. The mediocre performance in this game came back to haunt them. Although they beat Pakistan by six wickets and hammered Sri Lanka by 82 runs, Australia yet again proved to be India's nemesis. The Women in Blue went down to the defending champions by nine runs in Sharjah.
Australia topped Group A, with eight points and a net run rate of +2.223, while New Zealand finished second, with six points and a net run rate of +0.879. Team India stood third in the group, with four points and a net run rate of +0.322.