Pakistan were set a target of 117 by West Indies; Pakistan needed five runs from two deliveries; Pakistan's defeat confirms England's place in the semi-finals; New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 102 runs; watch every match of the Women's T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports Cricket
Monday 20 February 2023 02:25, UK
West Indies beat Pakistan by three runs in a dramatic contest in Paarl, with the defeat securing England a spot in the Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals.
Pakistan got off to a shaky start as they looked to reply to West Indies' 116-6, openers Muneeba Siddiqi (5) and Sidra Ameen (8) falling quickly to Hayley Matthews (1-14) and Karishma Ramharack (1-18).
However, as she did with the ball earlier in play, Dar showed her brilliance to anchor the innings, hitting 27 runs off 31 balls to get Pakistan back into the contest.
It was then time for the captain to provide for Pakistan, with Bismah Maroof (26) helping to get some crucial runs on the board.
However, when her wicket fell with less than three overs remaining to Matthews, the 24 runs in 12 balls required became too much to overcome.
Aliya Riaz (29) did her best to grind out the victory, finding the boundary at crucial moments, but a brilliant delivery from Shamilia Connell (1-31) on the penultimate ball fooled Riaz and brought Pakistan's chances to an end.
West Indies innings had been built from opening performances from Matthews (20) and Rashada Williams (30), Shemaine Campbelle (22) then coming it third to provide another good display.
Cameo's from Chinelle Henry (11) and Shabika Gajnabi (13) then proved vital as the West Indies looked to pass the century mark, the bowling prowess of Nida Dar (2-13) continuously stopping them in their tracks.
Despite some solid displays from Pakistan, West Indies held their nerve at the end, with Pakistan's loss handing England a passage into the semi-finals.
Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof: "Of course it was hurtful for everyone and a very close match.
"Of course, important match for us (against England).
"I think we have played good cricket throughout and we will try to continue that."
New Zealand kept their T20 World cup semi-final hopes alive with a dominant 102-run win over Sri Lanka.
New Zealand ran riot with the bat as they set Sri Lanka a target of 163, with half-centuries from Suzie Bates (56) and Amelia Kerr (66) cementing a near-perfect partnership.
Sri Lanka's bowling attack couldn't get near Bates and Kerr until the final over as the pair smashed six fours each, Inoka Ranaweera (1-27) bowling Bates before Kerr was ran out by Welikonthage Dilhari with one ball remaining.
Opener Bernadine Bezuidenhout also contributed, scoring 32 off 20 balls, before being dismissed by Waliarawe Kulasuriya (1-14) in the sixth over.
As Sri Lanka tried to reply they lost three early wickets, Rajapaksha Gunaratne (0) and Nishanka de Silva (0) both going for ducks at the hands of Hannah Rowe (1-12) and Jessica Kerr (1-7), with opener Harshitha Samarawickrama (8) unable to make a dent.
From there the wickets continued to fall as Chamari Atapattu (19) went for an lbw after a beauty of a delivery from Amelia Kerr (2-7), Lea Tahuhu (2-12) then nailing the stumps to dismiss Meegama Sanjeewani (1).
Dilhari (4), Oshadi Ranasinghe (3), Basnayake Kumari (1), and Malsha Shehani (10) then all went for low figures as Sri Lanka finished all out for 60.
Player of the match, Amelia Kerr: "It was nice to get that win with the team.
"We had a tough start to the tournament, so to get that win was awesome.
"I think I have been probably light on runs so it was nice to spend some time in the middle and bat with Suzie (Bates) who is a class act."
England will now face Pakistan in Cape Town on Tuesday while India play Ireland - who have already been eliminated - on Monday.
All three matches start at 1pm and are live on Sky Sports Cricket, with the semi-finals taking place in Cape Town on Thursday and Friday.
