Overjoyed Sophie Devine relishes qualifying ‘the Kiwi way’

Match Centre and Scorecard

The final game in Group A was nervy at times, entertaining at others, and ultimately ended in a convincing 54-run win for New Zealand.

Victory for the White Ferns ensured that they qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament at the expense of opponents Pakistan and a watching India, ending a run of three straight Women’s T20 World Cups without making the semis.

And an emotional captain Sophie Devine said that making it out of such a tough group was the typical Kiwi way.

“Probably no one expected us to be here,” the skipper said. “I guess that's a bit of a Kiwi way though, we sort of fly under the radar.

“We know that when we play our best cricket we can win this thing, so we'll certainly enjoy tonight's success and what we've been able to achieve, but this is now the next focus for us… we want to win the bloody thing.”

New Zealand’s path to a top-two finish in the group started with a superb victory over India in their opening group match.

And, when asked about it, Devine said that the win was they key to their successful group campaign.

“It was huge and it'll probably be something that we reflect back on once this tournament's finished, whenever that is.

“I think I spoke after that match that we'd been planning that game for a long, long time and to see our plans come to fruition is something that was really pleasing.

“I guess at the time it's always nice to win, but I guess the way that we won as well obviously helped our group and even tonight's performance I think as well.”

Even with three wins there was a danger that New Zealand would have been denied a semi-final spot had India managed to beat Australia in a thrilling encounter on Sunday.

And Devine revealed that her side had been watching the game on tenterhooks.

“I think from about the 12th over of the Australian bowling innings, we were clapping every single dot ball and things like that.

“It was another great game. Those two sides seem to have some absolute humdingers in terms of matches.

“So, yeah, again, thanks to our Aussie mates across the ditch. Hopefully we'll be seeing them in a final in a couple of days' time.

“It just shows the strength of women's cricket that a side like India has missed out.”

Having been restricted to just 110/6, New Zealand were far from safe at the midway point of Monday’s match, but were aided by an attacking approach from Pakistan, who themselves were looking for a big NRR boost.

The biggest celebrations during the second innings came when Melie Kerr dismissed Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who top scored for her side having only just returned to the UAE following the untimely death of her father.

And Devine singled out the young Pakistan all-rounder for special praise.

“You know Pakistan are a dangerous team as well. I think Fatima Sana is just the absolute future of the women's game and just so much respect for her and obviously condolences to her and her family,” Devine said.

“For her to come out there tonight just blows my mind really, to show her strength and stuff like that. So, with players like her going around, I think the women's game is going to be in pretty good hands.”