ICC Women’s World Cup2022: Suzie Bates’ 12th century and Hannah Rowe’s five-for lead New Zealand to a 71-run triumph over Pakistan
Suzie Bates made her 12th ODI century and became the first ever New Zealand batswoman; to reach 5,000 runs in the team’s history as they defeated Pakistan by 71 runs on Saturday; to finish off a totally perplexing Women’s World Cup campaign. ICC Women’s World Cup2022: Suzie Bates’ 12th century; and Hannah Rowe’s five-for lead New Zealand to a 71-run triumph over Pakistan.
Following in the footsteps of Bates’ excellent century, which contributed to New Zealand’s 265 for 8; medium bowler Hannah Rowe’s lady five-wicket haul contributed to New Zealand’s comfortable victory at the Hagley Oval. Bates destroyed 126 of 135 conveyances for the White Ferns; demonstrating as much for Pakistan as Rowe took 5/55 to, for all intents and purposes; clinch the diversion for New Zealand.
The victory is unlikely to help New Zealand reach the tournament’s semi-finals as the Kiwis now; need both England and India to lose badly on Sunday to have any hope of making it.
As a result, the tournament hosts will most certainly finish sixth in the standings; while Pakistan will finish eighth, having won only one of their seven matches.
New Zealand will be left wondering what may have been, especially following Bates’ performance; which saw her score her fourth World Cup century.
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During her 135-ball innings, the New Zealand veteran struck 14 boundaries, bringing up her 5000th; ODI run for her country while pacing New Zealand’s strong total on an exceptional batting pitch.
Many of Bates’ teammates received opportunities to bat, but Katey Martin (30 not out); Brooke Holliday (29), Amelia Kerr (24) and Maddy Green (23) couldn’t equal their more experienced teammate’s heroics.
Nida Dar (3/39) was the best of the Pakistan bowlers, taking two wickets in three deliveries early in her session to destabilize New Zealand’s top-order.
Dar was also a key player in Pakistan’s run chase, with her entertaining 50 keeping her team in with a chance of achieving the victory target.
There was a chance while Dar and skipper Bismah Maroof (38) were at the crease together, but New Zealand managed to take up wickets at vital periods to destroy Pakistan’s hopes.
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While spinner Frances Mackay (2/29) wreaked havoc at the top of Pakistan’s run chase, it was Rowe who put the game away by ripping through their middle order.
Rowe dismissed Aliya Riaz for one and took the crucial wicket of Dar to send Pakistan sliding from 155/3 to 158/6.
That decisive session was enough, as Pakistan’s final wickets went cheaply, giving New Zealand plenty of time to return home.