Century-maker Suzie Bates produced a milestone innings as New Zealand beat Pakistan by 71 runs within the Women’s World Cup in Christchurch on Saturday.
It was the ultimate match of the event for either side, and though New Zealand maintain a mathematical probability of creating the semi-finals, captain Sophie Devine mentioned that was very unlikely and it was a “bittersweet” win to bow out on.
“Absolutely, we’re gutted that we’re not moving forward in this tournament and I want to wish those teams that do manage to go through all the best,” she mentioned.
The event hosts posted 266 for eight with Bates scoring 126 earlier than Hannah Rowe took 5 for 55 to limit Pakistan to 194 for 9.
It lifted New Zealand to 6 factors, equal with fourth-placed England and India who every have a superior run price and a recreation in hand which sees them each threaten to overhaul third-placed West Indies — who’re one level forward however have accomplished their matches.
At a crowded Hagley Oval, on New Zealand’s first day with out Covid-enforced outside spectator restrictions, Bates contributed almost half the New Zealand complete and alongside the way in which grew to become solely the fourth participant in ladies’s cricket to succeed in 5,000 ODI runs.
Bates additionally grew to become the primary individual to attain a century in 4 consecutive World Cup tournaments however believed her player-of-the-match award ought to have gone to Rowe.
“I simply actually wished to take the sport deep and ensure we completed off the 50 overs and obtained an excellent rating on the board,” she said.
“It’s a nice record to have but I thought Hannah Rowe, I could share this player of the match with because she bowled outstandingly.”
Bates was given out lbw on 17 and deliberated on the dismissal till the ultimate second earlier than looking for a evaluation which confirmed the ball was lacking leg-stump.
When the opener was ultimately dismissed, bowled by Nashra Sandhu within the forty third over, she acquired a standing ovation as she walked from the sector and New Zealand had been nicely positioned at 211 for 5 with greater than seven overs remaining.
But as an alternative of New Zealand pushing up the run price, Pakistan took the initiative with 4 wickets for 20 runs earlier than Katey Martin and Frankie Mackay plundered 32 off the ultimate two overs.
Martin completed unbeaten on 30 with 22 of her runs coming off eight deliveries within the closing flurry.
The star performer with the ball for Pakistan was Nida Dar, with the spinner taking three for 39 from her 10 overs.
Dar then top-scored for Pakistan with 50 whereas captain Bismah Maroof contributed 38 however the aspect had been behind the required run price all through, and after reaching three for 155 Pakistan added solely 39 extra runs and misplaced six wickets.
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