Pakistan Women’s Team Stunned by Shocking Performance: 8 Catches Dropped Against New Zealand
The recent T20 World Cup 2024 has been a rollercoaster of emotions for cricket fans, particularly for supporters of the Pakistan women's cricket team. As they faced New Zealand in a crucial group stage match, not only were the hopes of their own nation riding on their performance, but the fate of the Indian women's team also hung in the balance. Unfortunately, the day turned into a nightmare for Pakistan, who put on one of the most dismal displays in cricket history—dropping eight catches and ultimately getting bowled out for a mere 56 runs.
A Match of Missed Opportunities
Pakistan's bowling unit initially showed promise, restricting New Zealand to 110 runs. However, their fielding was nothing short of catastrophic. Eight catches went down, many of them simple, including four dropped by bowler Fatima Sana herself. This horrendous display not only demoralized the team but also allowed New Zealand to set a competitive target. The dropped catches occurred at critical moments, including overs 4.2, 5.2, 7.3, 15.5, 17.2, 19.1, 19.3, and 19.5, giving the Kiwis a significant advantage.
As Sana Mir, former captain of the Pakistan women’s team, expressed during the match, “I’ve never seen this in 15 years of playing.” Her astonishment mirrored that of many fans who witnessed the collapse of what could have been a turning point in the tournament.
Batting Woes
Chasing a target of 111, Pakistan's batting lineup faltered spectacularly. The team was dismissed for just 56 runs, marking it as the second-lowest score in the history of Women's T20 World Cups. Poor shot selection and a lack of cohesion in the batting order sealed their fate, ultimately leading to a 54-run defeat.
Captain Fatima Sana, reflecting on the match during the post-match presentation, admitted, “We were good in the bowling but we need to improve our fielding and batting. We were not up to the mark in batting, and the seniors need to step up in that kind of match.” Her comments highlighted the urgent need for improvement in both individual performances and team strategies.
A Bitter End to Aspirations
With New Zealand's victory, both Pakistan and India were eliminated from the race for the semi-finals. The unexpected turn of events left fans disheartened, especially given the rare moment of cross-border support where Indian fans had hoped for a Pakistan win.
As the dust settles on this disappointing match, it’s clear that Pakistan must undergo significant introspection and improvement ahead of future tournaments. The dropped catches and batting failures serve as stark reminders that, in cricket, every opportunity counts.
For now, fans will be left to ponder what went wrong and how the team can bounce back from this experience. Will they rise to the challenge and reclaim their status in women’s cricket? Only time will tell.
Reference from :- https://sports.ndtv.com/women-s-t20-world-cup/never-seen-this-pakistan-drop-8-catches-vs-nz-india-crash-out-of-womens-t20-world-cup-2024-6791350