Jess Watkin and Amelia Kerr led New Zealand to their first win of the tournament with a 54-run win against Pakistan at Providence. Pakistan disappointing tournament concluded when they were bowled out for 90 in 18 overs. Earlier New Zealand posted 144-6 in their 20 overs after their top-order batters failed to convert those useful starts.
Team New Zealand celebrate
On a calm afternoon at the National Stadium Providence East Bank Demerara, Pakistan and New Zealand entertained cricket lovers on the penultimate day of the Guyana matches. Pakistani captain Javeria Khan continued to win the toss in this tournament and she opted to bowl first. New Zealand’s explosive duo, Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates played some exhilarating cricket shots, adding 59 runs for the opening partnership. Suzie Bates (35) was the first dismissed in the ninth over, but the foundation was already provided for the New Zealand batters to score runs at their will.
Captain Amy Satterthwaite joined Sophie Devine as the pair were in for a spin treat by the Pakistan bowlers. Devine, who was given the opportunity to open the batting in this match, was the second New Zealand batter dismissed in the thirteenth over with the score on 83. Supporters were in shock when Sandhu held her composure and pulled off a brilliant catch on the midwicket boundary to remove the dangerous Devine.
Javeria Khan
Satterthwaite and Katey Martin occupied the crease but they were only able to hit the ball to the boundary occasionally. Pakistan spin queen, Sana Mir bowled the most eventful over of the match. In the penultimate over, Mir removed the White Ferns skipper, Satterthwaite for 26 with her first ball. Keacy Martin hit a six and a four in the third and fourth delivery but Mir had the final laugh removing Martin in her last ball of her spell. Aliya Riaz was reintroduced to bowl the final over and found herself on a hat trick removing Kasperek and Watkin off consecutive deliveries. New Zealand finished off their innings with an eleven-run final over finishing on 144-6. Mir and Riaz grabbed two wickets each.
Amelia Keer picked up three wickets
Pakistan had gathered momentum from the last two overs and the openers, Ayesha Zafar and Javeria Khan took to a liking to New Zealand opening bowlers. The strong and lively Lea Tahuhu looked to create a revelation on the Providence pitch with some aggressive fast bowling. In her first over, she bowled one poor delivery that was pulled away for four as Pakistan opened their account in style.
Pakistan’s courageous captain picked up where she left off, hitting fours as if it was routine. Pakistan lost two wickets inside the power play but were able to maintain a brisk scoring rate. Zafar was the first to be dismissed for eight and Sohail was castled by New Zealand quickie Tahuhu for one. The little Pakistan master, Khan entertained the supporters with her calypso-like shots. However, she was removed in the ninth over by the impressive Jess Watkin for a stroke-filled 36 off 23 balls including six timely boundaries. The prize wicket of Javeria triggered the Pakistan collapse. Pakistan lost all 10 ten wickets in the space of 59 runs with Keer and Watkin dominating the wicket column with three wickets each.
Pakistan have completed their four group matches in the World T20 Tournament and will take the positives from this tournament to improve in the near future.
