In a high-stakes Match, New Zealand clashed with Pakistan in the final match of Group A, a pivotal encounter that served as a virtual knockout for both teams. The pressure was palpable. With India also vying for a spot in the next round, it was New Zealand that rose to the occasion, delivering a dominant performance in Dubai to secure their place in the knockout stage alongside Australia. Here’s an in-depth review and outlook of the thrilling match between New Zealand and Pakistan.
New Zealand Falls Short After Strong Beginning
Sophie Devine won the toss and opted to bat on Dubai's slowest surface, which tends to deteriorate as the innings progresses. The match commenced with openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer at the crease, facing Pakistan's captain Fatima Sana with the new ball. The first over was a solid start for New Zealand, yielding only a boundary. They made good use of the new ball, finding boundaries, scoring quick singles, and capitalizing on two dropped catches by Pakistan. By the end of the powerplay, New Zealand had posted a commendable 39/0, a decent start on this challenging pitch.
Spin was introduced with Nashra Sandhu, who made an immediate impact by breaking the partnership and dismissing Georgia Plimmer, as Pakistan finally held onto a catch. Captain Sophie Devine joined the fray, but the scoring slowed down, and Pakistan dropped yet another catch before dismissing the well-set Bates. Once again, it was Nashra Sandhu with the wicket. At the 10-over mark, New Zealand was at 54/2—potentially fewer runs if Pakistan had held onto their chances.
New Zealand remained ahead in the game despite the pitch offering little assistance to the batters. In the final 10 overs, the innings continued at a slow pace, with wickets falling regularly and only one solid partnership forming between Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday. Pakistan's fielding woes persisted as they dropped more catches. At the end of 20 overs, New Zealand managed to score 110/6, a total that, while below par, still posed a challenge for Pakistan in their chase.
For Pakistan, the target needed to be chased in 10.4 overs to qualify for the knockouts. They struggled in the field, dropping eight catches and taking only five. Nashra Sandhu was the standout performer, finishing with figures of 3/18, which played a crucial role in restricting the White Ferns to a low total
Pakistan Suffers Quick Collapse in Chase
Pakistan faced the daunting challenge of chasing 111 runs in 10.4 overs to qualify for the knockouts. Openers Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riyaz took to the crease, but their innings started with a failed LBW appeal against them. Rosemary Mair, bowling with the new ball, put Pakistan under immediate pressure with her tight line, causing them to struggle right from the start. New Zealand's bowlers executed their plan effectively, restricting Pakistan's ability to score quick singles and doubles. This strategy led to a string of wickets, with Pakistan losing half their side during the powerplay, managing only 28 runs.
With the pressure mounting, Nida Dar and Fatima Sana briefly steadied the ship, stitching together a partnership of 24 runs that brought Pakistan to 50 by the ninth over. However, Amelia Kerr broke this partnership by dismissing Nida Dar, leaving Pakistan in dire straits at 52/6 by the end of the 10th over. After the drinks break, the collapse continued, as Pakistan lost four wickets in just two overs, ultimately bowing out for a mere 56 runs.
New Zealand's disciplined bowling and adherence to their game plan allowed them to qualify for the knockouts, while Pakistan's underwhelming batting performance left them trailing behind in the points table. Despite showing intent early on, Pakistan failed to build meaningful partnerships and were careless in the field, with dropped catches compounding their woes. For New Zealand, defending just over 100 runs in a 20-over match showcased their composure and tactical execution. Amelia Kerr was the standout performer, taking 3 wickets for 14 runs, while Eden Carson's 2 wickets also contributed to her earning the Player of the Match award.
The match concluded on a high note for the White Ferns, who celebrated their impressive performance, while it marked a disappointing end for India and Pakistan, both hoping for knockout qualification. Ultimately, it was Australia and New Zealand who emerged victorious, securing their spots in the next stage of the tournament.Â
