Pakistan drop catches. (Photo Source: Disney+Hotstar)
Pakistan dropped a whopping eight catches during their humiliating 54-run defeat to New Zealand in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Monday, October 14.
Pakistan had a chance to do their arch-rivals India a favour by beating New Zealand, which would have allowed Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. to progress to the semi-finals. However, the Women in Green put on a horrific show on the field and gave the New Zealand batters several chances to put on a good score after Sophie Devine won the toss and opted to bat first.
The White Ferns managed 110/6 in their 20 overs on a difficult track. Pakistan would have fancied their chances to get over the line but a disciplined bowling performance halted their progress. Fatima Sana’s side was eventually bundled out for 56 in 11.4 overs as New Zealand won by 54 runs to progress to the knockouts. This result ended India’s run at the marquee event as Australia and New Zealand progressed to the semi-finals from Group A.
Also Read: Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan drop eight catches in do or die New Zealand encounter
Pakistan’s abysmal fielding performance triggered a massive debate on social media, with former India opener Aakash Chopra also getting involved.
“In Asia, we don’t ‘drop’ players…we ‘rest’ them. In fact, we don’t even drop catches…we rest the ball on the ground,” Chopra posted on X (formerly Twitter).
In Asia, we don’t ‘drop’ players…we ‘rest’ them.
In fact, we don’t even drop catches…we rest the ball on the ground 🤪🤣
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 14, 2024
The post triggered an intense banter between Chopra and some fans on social media. As a fan tried to troll the cricketer-turned-commentator, he gave back a fiery reply. Here’s how the conversation went:
You shouldn’t have gone down that route 🤡 https://t.co/ipMun9Fcwq pic.twitter.com/Ps9IncWSVG
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 14, 2024
New Zealand make it to Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals for first time since 2016
Suzie Bates (28) and Brooke Halliday (22) made useful contributions with the bat, while Amelia Kerr (3/14) and Eden Carson (2/7) starred with the ball to take New Zealand to the semi-finals of a Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time since 2016.
After the emphatic win, the experienced Devine expressed her happiness, praising her young team for sticking to the processes.
“Probably hasn’t sunk in yet [on the win]. Just so incredibly proud of this group. 2016 was the last semi-final we made in T20 World Cups. Been a long time between that. We will certainly celebrate this,” Devine said during the post-match presentation ceremony.
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“Results haven’t gone our way leading into this tournament. But as a captain I am proud that we have stuck to the processes. Stuck to the belief in the group. And when we get things right, we can beat any team on the world’s big stage. I am incredibly proud of the group which is so you,” she added.