India had hoped that long-time rivals Pakistan could revive their Women’s T20 World Cup dream after suffering a painful nine-run defeat by defending champions Australia on Sunday. Australia topped Group A with 4 wins in 4 games, confirming their advance to the semifinals. India, who have four points after two wins and two losses, can only hope that Pakistan beat New Zealand on Monday to leave the second semi-finals, decided on a net run-rate basis.
However, if New Zealand wins, they will advance to the semi-finals while India will be eliminated.
“This is something that is out of our control,” admitted India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.
“It would be great if we got a chance to play another game, but if not, whoever deserves to be there, the team will be there.”
Six-time champions Australia overcame the absence of skipper Alyssa Healy to become the first team to secure a place in the semi-finals.
Tahlia McGrath led Australia after Healy was ruled out with a foot injury and struggled while batting against Pakistan on Friday.
Healy’s replacement Grace Harris top-scored with 40, McGrath made 32 and Australia were 151-8 after electing to bat first.
In reply, India finished on 142-9, with Kaur hitting an unbeaten 54 and Deepti Sharma hitting 29 to advance to the final.
India needed 14 off the last six balls but lost four wickets with Australian bowler Annabel Sutherland conceding just four runs.
The win extended Australia’s tournament winning streak to 15 matches.
“We want to win every game,” McGrath said.
“We knew it was going to be a really big challenge for us today. They came at us really hard. I’m really proud of that group. We held our nerve until the end there.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s alternate captain Muneeba Ali said his team has not given up hope of reaching the semi-finals.
Pakistan not only need to beat New Zealand on Monday but also need to significantly improve their run pace, which is inferior to both New Zealand and India.
“We know the pool is still open. We have a chance to win the game tomorrow and, if we win by a good margin, a chance to advance to the semi-finals,” Muneva said.
Pakistan will be given a boost by the return of skipper Fatima Sana, who missed the nine-wicket loss to Australia after returning briefly due to the death of her father.
‘Keep the momentum going’
In Group B, England thrashed Scotland by 10 wickets with openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge producing unbeaten century partnerships.
England restricted Scotland to 109-6 from 20 overs after left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone returned figures of 2-13 with a disciplined bowling attack.
England came home with 10 overs to spare with Bouchier hitting 62 off 34 deliveries and earning the man of the match award as the team advanced to the semi-finals.
Wyatt-Hodge smashed 51 off 26 balls in a dominant performance for the 2009 champions.
A third successive win saw England top Group B, ahead of South Africa and the West Indies, who have won three in four.
England face West Indies in Dubai on Tuesday. The Caribbean team, champions in 2016, will need to keep winning to advance to the semi-finals.
“Try and win the same way we have approached (the tournament so far),” skipper Heather Knight said of the clash against West Indies.
“We want to keep winning, we want to keep that momentum going, we want to get going again, get some momentum and get into the semifinals.”
Scotland and Bangladesh, who ended in a draw after qualifying for the finals for the first time in history, have already been eliminated from the 10-nation competition.
“It’s a very tough tournament overall, but it’s a great honor to lead the team in this tournament,” said skipper Kathryn Bryce. “There are only lessons to be learned from this.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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