Opener Sophie Devine does the trick for White Ferns

Sophie Devine is easily one of the most destructive batters in world cricket. Her power and clean hitting puts her among the top ten run-getters in Twenty20 Internationals, and holder of the fastest fifty in the format – which came off 18 balls against India in 2015. The team management’s decision to promote her as an opener during the series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in November last year was a pragmatic one. She responded with four half-centuries and four forty-plus knocks in 16 innings coming into the World T20 in the Caribbean. Not only did she make good use of the Power Play overs, but also complemented Suzie Bates well as a partner, allowing her to play anchor.



It was, therefore, surprising to see Devine demoted to No.3 in New Zealand’s first two games against India and Australia in the World T20. Maybe the ploy was to add depth to the batting order on slow and turning tracks in Guyana, but it clearly did not work and put additional pressure on Bates to play the role of both an enforcer and accumulator. New Zealand rectified the error against Pakistan on Thursday (November 15) by promoting Devine back as an opener, and it immediately paid off as she made a 31-ball 32, which included two fours and a six, and put on 59 with Bates in 8.3 overs – the team’s only fifty-plus partnership in the tournament so far.



Devine’s approach to look for scoring shots nullified Pakistan’s decision to field first in overcast conditions.



Pakistan did not help their cause by failing to convert a run out and not holding on to a leading edge during the Devine-Bates stand. Devine hit a four and a six after Bates departed, but fell herself to a brilliant catch from Nashra Sandhu off the bowling of Aiman Anwer in the 13^th over. At 83 for 2, New Zealand had a strong foundation.



Devine’s departure allowed Pakistan to tighten their grip, and they did that well. Amy Satterthwaite, the New Zealand captain, was clearly agitated for not being able to time the ball, but Pakistan’s sloppy fielding meant that Katey Martin was allowed to settle down. Her 24-ball 29 gave New Zealand innings the impetus as they added 24 runs in the final two overs to reach 144 for 6.



From Pakistan’s point of view, Sidra Nawaz’s swift glovework and Aliya Riaz’s two wickets in two balls to start the final over were the major talking point.



Pakistan, who posted 139 for 6 against Ireland and 133 for 7 against India in their previous two matches – their best totals in World T20s, needed a truculent start to script a successful chase.



The intent shown was admirable, as the opening pair of Javeria Khan and Ayesha Zafar went after Lea Tahuhu, Devine and Amelia Kerr to score seven fours and reach 31 in the first three overs.



Really an inspiring start, but the introduction of Leigh Kasperek in the fourth over put the brakes on Pakistan. She struck with her first ball when New Zealand opted for the Decision Review System after a caught behind appeal against Ayesha was turned down. Another wicket in the next over when Tahuhu’s ripping delivery castled Umaima Sohail’s stumps gave New Zealand breathing space.



Pakistan ended the Power Play at 49 for 2, and it was game on with Javeria going great guns, and Bismah Maroof at the middle. But then came Jess Watkin, the 20-year-old offspinner, and struck in her first over when she bowled a beauty to have Bismah caught behind.



The spin duo of Watkin and Kerr struck a partnership on a surface that became slower as the second game of the day progressed. While Kerr kept things quite from her end by the turning the ball well, Watkin struck for the second time in her second over when Javeria’s attempt to reverse sweep led to her being caught behind. It was a big wicket in the context of the game considering Javeria was going great guns at 36 off just 23 balls.



There was no fight from Pakistan after that, as they lost their last eight wickets for 38 runs to be bowled out for 90 in 18 overs. Watkin (3 for 9 – her career-best figures) and Kerr (3 for 21) finished with combined figures of 6 for 30 in eight overs.



New Zealand were among the favourites to make it to the semifinal, but their hopes crashed after losing to India and Australia and then seeing Ireland lose to India before they took on Pakistan. The way they kept the disappointment aside to make use of the conditions well in their penultimate league game and put up a complete show was remarkable.