Mumbai Mumbai. New Zealand won the Women's T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa by 32 runs here on Sunday and made it to the thrilling final. It was a historic Sunday for New Zealand cricket as the White Ferns lifted the ICC trophy just hours after registering their first Test win in India in 36 years. South Africa, playing its second consecutive final, put New Zealand in to bat and the Sophie Devine-led side performed well under pressure and scored 158 runs for five wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Emilia Kerr scored 43 runs off 38 balls, while Brooke Halliday scored 38 runs off 28 balls to take New Zealand past 150 in a low-scoring tournament. South African captain Laura Wolvaardt (33 runs on 27 balls) took her team to 47 runs without any loss in the powerplay, after which the New Zealand bowlers were successful in stopping the opposition team. South Africa could not maintain the scoring rate and finished at 126 for nine in 20 overs. Kerr also did wonders with his leg spin and took three wickets for 24 runs in four overs.
It was a remarkable turnaround of fortunes for New Zealand, who came into the tournament carrying the burden of 10 consecutive defeats. They were by far the best bowling unit in the competition and showed some improvement in their batting on Sunday. There was no way South Africa could make a comeback after losing their courageous leader Wolvaardt in the 10th over. Kerr took the prized wicket of Wolvaardt, who was caught by Suzie Bates at cover in an attempt to speed up the scoring rate.
When semi-final hero Anneke Bosch was out after five balls, it was decided. South Africa's untested middle order could not respond to the pressure exerted by New Zealand's bowlers.
Brief scores: New Zealand 158/5 in 20 overs (Amelia Kerr 43, Brooke Halliday 38; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2/31). South Africa 126/9 in 20 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 33, Amelia Cera 3/24).
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