West Indies and NZ win to cling to SF hopes at T20 World Cup
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — West Indies kept alive its slim hopes of making the semifinals at the Women's T20 World Cup with a last-over win over Pakistan on Sunday, while Sri Lanka went from the brink of the knockouts to out of the tournament.
New Zealand's huge 102-run win over Sri Lanka put it in position instead to follow defending champion Australia into the semis from Group 1.
West Indies' victory gave it a chance in Group 2 and also meant England was confirmed as the first team through from that group.
West Indies won the toss and struggled to a below-par 116-6 in Paarl but managed to restrict Pakistan to 113-5 in its 20 overs, thanks in part to the efforts of captain Hayley Matthews, who took 2-14 in four overs and snatched a fantastic diving catch at short mid-wicket.
Pakistan needed 18 off the last over, an equation that appeared out of reach until Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz hit three fours off the first four balls.
With five needed off the last two, Riyaz chopped a delivery onto her own stumps to dramatically change the course of the game again.
New batter Omaima Sohail couldn't find the boundary on the last ball to take the game to a Super Over and West Indies stayed alive at the tournament, although that could be short-lived if India beats Ireland on Monday in Gqeberha.
That would take India through behind England.
West Indies has played all its group games and is level on points with India but behind on net run rate, so needs the Irish, who are winless at this World Cup, to pull off a big surprise to have any chance of going through. Even then, the West Indies would have to wait for the final Group 2 game between England and Pakistan on Tuesday.
New Zealand moved second behind Australia in Group 1, but that could also be temporary as a win for host South Africa over Bangladesh on Tuesday would see it snatch the semifinal place from the New Zealanders.
New Zealand gave itself a chance with a dominant performance to end Sri Lanka's tournament.
Bernadine Bezuidenhout (32), Suzie Bates (56) and Amelia Kerr (66) all made big contributions at the top of the order to see New Zealand to an impressive 162-3 after choosing to bat first.
Sri Lanka, which would have been into the semis with a win, collapsed under the pressure and was 60 all out after being one batter down with Achini Kulasuriya not coming out because of an injury.
New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu took 2-12 in four overs to join Megan Schutt of Australia as the joint leading wicket-takers at the tournament with eight.
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