New Zealand's qualification for the knockout stages of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup comes at the expense of both India and Pakistan, following a 54-run win for the White Ferns in Dubai on Monday.
Matchday opponents Pakistan knew they could qualify if they chased down a target of 111 in quick time, while India would have qualified instead of both teams had Pakistan still gone on to win in a slower fashion.
But a combination of superb bowling from New Zealand and a gung-ho approach from Pakistan saw the match race to a conclusion in just 11.4 overs of the second innings, as Pakistan crashed to 56 all out.
Earlier, Suzie Bates top-scored with 28 and plenty of New Zealand batters got starts, but Pakistan’s spinners kept the total under control, with Nashra Sandhu the pick of the bowlers with 3-18.
Catches were shelled throughout the innings under the lights in Dubai, and the eventual size of the target, coupled with the net run rate equation, proved too much for Pakistan in the end.
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