Dubai. New Zealand women's cricket team won the Women's T20 World Cup title for the first time by defeating South Africa by 32 runs in the final played at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. With this victory, the Kiwi team made its place in the finals after 14 years, in which they had earlier also achieved the runnerup title in 2009 and 2010. South Africa won the toss and decided to bowl first. New Zealand, batting first, scored 158 runs for 5 wickets in 20 overs. In reply, the South African team could score only 126 runs after losing 9 wickets in 20 overs.
Amelia Kerr's brilliant performance
Amelia Kerr once again caught everyone's attention with her unique performance for New Zealand. He scored 43 runs and also took 3 wickets. Kerr was chosen player of the match for his excellent performance. Other key players included Brooke Halliday who scored 38 runs and Suzie Bates scored 32 runs.
South Africa's challenge
South Africa had a very good start. Captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tajmin Britts made a partnership of 51 runs for the first wicket. However, Wolvaardt remained the team's top scorer with 33 runs on 27 balls, and after her innings the team started losing wickets. For the South African team, Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2 wickets, while Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk and Ayabonga Khaka took 1 wicket each.
South Africa's disappointment in the final
This was the second consecutive final loss for South Africa, as they had also lost the final against Australia last year.
Playing11 of both the teams
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (captain), Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Brooke Halliday, Maddi Green, Isabella Gage, Rosemary Mair, Lee Tahuhu, Eden Carson and Fran Jonas.
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tajmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Marijan Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Sune Luus, Annery Derksen, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba.
With this win, New Zealand have set an important milestone in their cricket history and are now ready to carve a new identity as T20 World Cup winners.
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Image Credit: KhasKhabar.