New Zealand emerged victorious in the Women's T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa by 32 runs in a thrilling final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Breaking their finals curse, the Kiwis claimed their maiden T20 World Cup title after falling short in the 2009 and 2010 editions.
All-rounder Amelia Kerr delivered a standout performance, anchoring New Zealand’s triumph. Kerr scored a crucial 43 runs and then showcased her bowling prowess by taking three key wickets, playing a decisive role in the team's victory.
After being put into bat by South Africa, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 158/5 in their 20 overs. Despite losing opener Georgia Plimmer early for just 16, veteran Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr steadied the innings. Bates, playing in her landmark match as the most-capped player in women's international cricket, contributed 32 runs, while Kerr's 43-run knock, decorated with four boundaries, carried the Kiwis deep into the innings.
Brooke Halliday chipped in with a valuable 38 off 28 balls in the middle order, and Maddy Green provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 12-run cameo, which included a six in the penultimate ball.
Nonkululeko Mlaba was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, taking 2/27, while Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, and Ayabonga Khaka claimed one wicket each.
South Africa started the chase with promise, as openers Laura Wolvaardt (33) and Tazmin Brits (17) stitched together a solid 51-run partnership. However, their momentum quickly fizzled after Wolvaardt’s dismissal, and the rest of the batting order faltered under pressure.
The Proteas' batting line-up struggled to build partnerships, with no batter managing to hold the innings together. Only Wolvaardt crossed the 30-run mark, as New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Kerr and Rosemary Mair (3 wickets), tightened the grip on the game.
South Africa finished on 126/9, falling 32 runs short of the target. It was a second heartbreak for the Proteas fans in 2024, as the men’s team also lost the T20 World Cup final earlier this year.
This victory marked the end of New Zealand’s T20 World Cup final jinx, having previously lost the title clashes in 2009 and 2010. South Africa, meanwhile, suffered their second consecutive defeat in the final, after losing to Australia in the 2022 edition, though they had avenged that loss by defeating the Aussies in the semifinals this year.
With this win, New Zealand sealed their legacy in the Women’s T20 World Cup, delivering a clinical performance that will be remembered for years to come.
