SA thru' as NZ bow out

South Africa reached the semifinals of the Women's World Twenty20 for the first time by beating much-fancied New Zealand by five wickets in a thrilling match of Group A at the Sylhet Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Bowling first, the South Africans restricted the two-time runners-up New Zealand to 114, with medium pacer Marizanne Kapp taking three and leg-spinner Dane van Niekerk taking two wickets. That New Zealand got to 114 owed a great deal from a 43-ball 40 from opener Sophie Devine.
In chase, South Africa lost two early wickets, but skipper Mignon du Preez scored 51 runs off 47 balls to steer her side close to home. Despite her dismissal at the score of 106, South Africa completed the job.
Earlier, Pakistan salvaged some pride by beating Ireland by 14 runs in the first match. Bismah Maroof's unbeaten 48 gave Pakistan a decent total of 119 for six and they defended it by bowling Ireland out for 105 in 19.3 overs.