Pakistan’s chances of advancing in the Women’s T20 World Cup ended after a fielding debacle against New Zealand in Dubai. New Zealand won by 54 runs, securing a place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2016.
Pakistan needed to defeat New Zealand to stay in the tournament, which would have also kept India’s hopes alive. However, despite difficult scoring conditions, Pakistan’s fielders dropped eight catches.These errors happened in multiple overs, including three crucial drops in the final over.
Former Indian cricketer Munaf Patel expressed his disappointment, saying, “You know how many catches were dropped by #Pakistan in today’s match,” alongside an image of a dropped catch.
Amelia Kerr and Eden Carson‘s superb bowling led New Zealand to a 54-run victory over Pakistan, securing a spot in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals. Carson, named Player of the Match, grabbed 2-7, while Kerr claimed 3-14 as Pakistan collapsed to 56 all out in 11.4 overs, chasing New Zealand’s modest 110-6.
With this defeat, Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying ended, and India was also eliminated, having suffered a heavy loss to New Zealand earlier. Pakistan’s chase faltered early, losing key wickets, and despite skipper Fatima Sana’s fighting 21, they fell well short. Sana, returning after her father’s passing, acknowledged Pakistan’s poor fielding, with eight dropped catches proving costly.
Watch: Pakistan’s sloppy fielding
New Zealand’s innings began steadily with Suzie Bates (28) and Georgia Plimmer (17) adding 41, but Pakistan’s Nashra Sandhu struck back, picking 3-18. However, New Zealand capitalized on Pakistan’s fielding lapses to stay in the hunt for the title.