Pakistan dropped 8 catches in a crucial World Cup match against New Zealand, ultimately losing by 54 runs. This defeat not only knocked Pakistan out of the tournament but also ended India’s hopes of progressing further.
Source: Hindustan Times
Pakistan dropped as many as eight catches in their must-win Women’s T20 World Cup Group A match against New Zealand in Dubai on Monday. New Zealand capitalized on Pakistan’s poor fielding, winning the match by 54 runs and securing their first semi-final spot since 2016. The result not only dashed Pakistan’s hopes but also eliminated India from the tournament, as India’s qualification hinged on Pakistan beating New Zealand. On a day when run-scoring proved difficult, Pakistan’s sloppy fielding became the unfortunate highlight, costing them and India a place in the semi-finals.
Pakistan’s fielding woes were on full display during their must-win Women’s T20 World Cup match against New Zealand, where they dropped crucial catches at key moments. The missed opportunities came in the 5th (4.2), 6th (5.2), 8th (7.3), 16th (15.5), and 18th (17.2) overs, with an additional three dropped catches occurring in the final over (19.1, 19.3, and 19.5). These costly errors contributed to New Zealand’s victory by 54 runs, sealing their place in the semi-finals and eliminating both Pakistan and India from the tournament.
Former India fast bowler Munaf Patel expressed his disbelief at Pakistan’s poor fielding performance against New Zealand. “Do you know how many catches were dropped by #Pakistan in today’s match?” the 2011 World Cup-winning cricketer wrote on social media platform X, accompanied by an image of a Pakistan fielder dropping a catch. Patel, like many, was appalled by the fielding errors that contributed to Pakistan’s defeat and eventual elimination from the Women’s T20 World Cup.
New Zealand secured their spot in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought victory over Pakistan. After opting to bat, Sophie Devine’s side faced a challenging spin attack from Pakistan and managed to post a modest total of 110 for six in their 20 overs. Despite the below-par score, New Zealand’s bowlers stepped up, ensuring the pressure was on Pakistan from the start.
In response, Pakistan collapsed to 56 all out, marking the second-lowest all-out total in the tournament’s history. The defeat not only ended Pakistan’s hopes of progressing but also eliminated India from Group A, as both teams exited the tournament, unable to chase the huge net run rate required.
Openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer gave New Zealand a strong start, taking the White Ferns to 39 without loss in the powerplay. Bates, in particular, maintained a steady run-a-ball pace throughout the first six overs, helping to build a solid foundation for the innings.
However, Bates had some lucky escapes during her knock. She survived an LBW review in the very first over and was given a lifeline when she was dropped at midwicket on 20, allowing her to continue anchoring the innings.
The aggressive instincts of 20-year-old Georgia Plimmer led to her downfall when she charged at Nashra Sandhu and skied a catch to Fatima Sana on 17. Pakistan’s spinners, Nashra Sandhu and Omaima Sohail, took control of the match with tight bowling, putting a stranglehold on New Zealand’s innings. Remarkably, New Zealand went 54 balls without hitting a boundary, as Pakistan’s spinners kept the pressure on.
Nashra once again forced a mistake from a Kiwi opener, with Suzie Bates spooning a high catch to Nida Dar at long on, leaving New Zealand at 50 for two. Amelia Kerr struggled to find rhythm and was dismissed by Omaima Sohail for just nine from 17 balls, picking out Fatima Sana. The spin stranglehold continued with Nida Dar and teenager Syeda Aroob Shah, but Brooke Halliday broke the shackles with two crucial fours in the 15th over, injecting some much-needed momentum into New Zealand’s innings.
The White Ferns were fired up in the field, and speedster Lea Tahuhu cleaned up Muneeba Ali for 15 minutesto stamp their authority.
Two wickets fell in Fran Jonas’ first over as Sadaf Shamas was clean bowled and Iram Javed was run out when taking a risky single to short third.
Pakistan’s collapse continued when Sidra Amin was bowled by Rosemary Mair for a golden duck as they sunk for 28 for five.
The experienced pair of Fatima and Nida briefly steadied the ship and the former slapped Mair for a fine four through cover in the ninth over.
The pair put on 32 runs, but Nida was stumped off Kerr and the last five wickets fell for just four runs, as Pakistan succumbed to their lowest-ever total at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Pakistan were left to lament a few missed opportunities, as Brooke Halliday and captain Sophie Devine capitalized on dropped catches to build a steady partnership. Both were dismissed in back-to-back deliveries at 96 for five, but New Zealand continued to benefit from Pakistan’s fielding lapses. Maddy Green and Isabella Gaze worked hard to push New Zealand to a competitive total.
Facing a daunting chase, Pakistan needed to reach their target in just 10.4 overs to secure a spot in the knockout stages. In a surprising move, Aliya Riaz was promoted to open in place of Gull Feroza. However, the experiment backfired, as Aliya steered a catch to Sophie Devine at mid-on after Eden Carson, opening with spin, took the early wicket. This early setback set the tone for Pakistan’s struggle in the chase.
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