New Zealand stormed into the final of the Women's T20 World Cup after 14 years, beating the 2016 champions West Indies by eight runs in a low-scoring thriller in Sharjah. New Zealand will meet the 2023 edition's runners-up South Africa as the tournament is set for a first-time champion.
Opting to bat first, Sophie Devine's side huffed and puffed their way to 128 for 9 on a pitch where the ball was not coming onto the bat. Deandra Dottin starred for West Indies, taking 4 for 22. However, West Indies' chase did not take off as expected with Eden Carson and Co keeping them to 25 for 2 in the powerplay.
Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor toiled hard but could manage only a combined 28 off 41 balls. That left West Indies 51 for 4 and needing 78 from 55. Dottin once again kept West Indies in the game. Her fireworks - a 22-ball 33 where she hit Lea Tahuhu for three sixes in an over - brought the equation down to 34 from 24. But Amelia Kerr, the highest wicket-taker at this World Cup, ended Dottin's innings in the 17th over when she top-edged a sweep to short fine leg.
New Zealand were not flawless, having dropped five catches in the field, but their bowlers found a way to stop West Indies to 120 for 8.
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