DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — South Africa was set a winning target of 159 runs against New Zealand in the Women’s T20 World Cup cricket final on Sunday that will produce a first-time champion.
New Zealand scored 158-5 in 20 overs at Dubai International Cricket Stadium after South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl.
Amelia Kerr top scored for New Zealand with a 38-ball 43. Brooke Halliday hit 38 runs in 28 deliveries and opener Suzie Bates scored 32 in 31. Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2-31 in four overs for South Africa.
Both teams fielded an unchanged side from their semifinal wins where South Africa stunned defending champions Australia in the first semi by eight wickets on Thursday, while New Zealand beat West Indies in the second semifinal by eight runs on Friday.
This is South Africa’s second straight final appearance in the tournament. Losing to Australia by 19 runs, it had finished runners-up in its home tournament in 2023, its best result in the tournament.
New Zealand, meanwhile, reached the tournament final for the first time since 2010. In the first two editions – 2009 and 2010 – it had lost to England by six wickets in London, and to Australia by three runs in Barbados.
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