Women's T20 World Cup 2024: India Knocked Out After New Zealand Beat Pakistan to Seal Semi-Final Spot

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India women's cricket team crashed out of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 after New Zealand sealed a semi-final berth following a 54-run victory over Pakistan on Monday (October 14) in the final Group A match at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.

Harmanpreet Kaur's side, which lost by 13 runs to Australia on Sunday (October 13), needed Pakistan to beat New Zealand to stay alive in the tournament, but their arch-rivals didn't do them any favours as they suffered a loss in a low-scoring match against the White Ferns.

Defending a meagre 110, spinners Eden Carson and Amelia Kerr stepped up, having noticed how the slower bowlers dominated, and bundled out Pakistan for just 56 in 11.4 overs.

Pakistan also had a chance of qualifying for the semi-final, but they needed to chase before 10.4 overs to surpass New Zealand and India in the Group A standings. However, the Asian side, which started with intent, fell in a hurry to an all-round New Zealand bowling effort.

Carson (2 for 7 in 3 overs) and Kerr (3 for 14 in 2.3 overs) were the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand. Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu and Fran Jonas also chipped in with a wicket each.

For Pakistan, only skipper Fatima Sana (21 off 23 balls) and wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali (15 off 11 balls) got into double digit scores, while the rest of the batting order failed to step up. This marked Pakistan's third defeat of the group stage.

Earlier, opting to bat first, openers Suzie Bates (28 off 29 balls) and Georgia Plimmer (17 off 14 balls) had given New Zealand a decent start until the latter's dismissal slowed the run-scoring for the White Ferns.

Skipper Sophie Devine (19 off 25 balls) and Brooke Halliday (22 off 24 balls) capitalized on the dropped catches to share an handy stand which took New Zealand closer to 100.

For Pakistan, Nashra Sandhu was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 18, while Nida Dar, Sadia Iqbal and Omaima Sohail also picked a wicket each on the challenging surface for the batters.

With this result, Pakistan head home along with their neighbours India. New Zealand, on the other hand, join their Trans-Tasman neighbours in the semifinals. The White Ferns will play the second semifinal on Friday (October 18) in Sharjah.

While Group A semifinalists were decided on Monday (October 14), the two semi-finalists from Group B will be decided after the final group stage match between England and West Indies, who are battling for last four spots with South Africa also in the mix.