New Zealand, West Indies, Semi Final, ICC World Cup Women's 2024, White Ferns, West Indies, Cricket World Cup, Cricket

New Zealand edged past the 2016 champions West Indies to claim a berth in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup Final after 14 years. The match in Sharjah was befitting for an encounter characteristic of a semi-final – a low-scoring, emotionally intense game of cricket. New Zealand will now face the 2023 runners-up South Africa in the Finals. The epic encounter is set for a final where the outcome will result in a first-time champion.

New Zealand opted to bat first and scored a competitive 128 runs for 9 wickets. The pitch was slow and the ball was not coming onto the bat. For West Indies, Deandra Dottin was the pick of the bowlers grabbing 4 wickets with an economy rate of just 5.50. West Indies’ batting second did not start comfortably being reduced to 25/2 during the powerplay. Qiana Joseph and Shemaine Campbell both fell to Eden Carson. Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor toiled hard but could only manage to score 28 of 41 balls. West Indies soon found themselves at 51 for the fall of 4 wickets. Dottin’s fireworks kept West Indies in the game. She scored a quick-fire 33 runs off 22 balls. But Amelia Kerr, the highest wicket-taker in the World Cup ended Dottin’s innings in the 17th over.

New Zealand finally managed to stop West Indies at a score of 120 for 8.

The stage is set for the final match where now New Zealand will take on South Africa on October 20 on Sunday.