(Web Desk) – New Zealand on Friday reached the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final after securing thrilling eight-run win over West Indies in final over of second semi-final at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
A composed bowling helped Kiwis restrict the opponent team to 120 as they were chasing the target of 129 runs.
Sophie Devine’s side will now face South Africa in final on Sunday.
West Indies suffered early blows when Qiana Joseph (12 from 12) and Shemaine Campbelle (3 from 5) were removed in the powerplay.
The score had reached 25/2 at the end of the powerplay, with plenty of work still to do. And Eden Carson, who had picked up the first two wickets, came back to strike again and clean up Taylor for 13 (20) to leave New Zealand in a strong position.
Dotting from middle order played a splendid inning of 33 runs, rekindling hopes for reaching in the final for her side. But Melie Kerr managed to remove her, putting Kiwis in command again.
Afy Fletcher (17) and Zaida James (14) tried to achieve the target but Kiwis managed to grab the victory in last over.
After opting to bat first, New Zealand’s openers made it through the powerplay unscathed, tamking nine runs off Matthews’ first over to reach 32/0 after six.
Suzie Bates (26 from 28) was the first wicket to fall, cleaned up by Karishma Ramharack to bring Melie Kerr to the crease.
The score had reached 54/1 at the midway point of the innings, but just as it looked like New Zealand were about to launch off their platform, two wickets fell in quick succession.
Kerr was the first to go, lobbing a catch straight at Ramharack off Dottin for 7 (11), with Georgia Plimmer following soon after, stumped looking to dispatch Afy Fletcher to end a promising knock of 33 (31).
Brooke Halliday and Sophie Devine pushed the Kiwis up towards a decent total, running hard between the wickets before both falling in quick succession – Halliday bowled by Dottin for 18 (9) and Devine caught by Ramharack off Fletcher for 12 (12). And Maddy Green wasn’t able to add much to the score, caught behind for 3 (4).
Izzy Gaze made 20 runs helping her side set a challenging total for the opponent team.
The White Ferns were unchanged for the game, while West Indies made one change, welcoming back the vastly experienced Stafanie Taylor after a knee injury kept her out against England.
Both teams upset the odds to reach the final four, with New Zealand’s win over India and West Indies’ victory against England knocking out the teams ranked second and third in the world during the group stage.
South Africa have already qualified for the final after stunning defending champions Australia on Thursday. The final will be played on Sunday.
Playing XIs
West Indies XI: Hayley Matthews (capt), Qiana Joseph, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Ashmini Munisar, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack
New Zealand XI: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (capt), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas