The final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will see South Africa take on New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Sunday, October 20, at 6pm local time. This match will mark the end of Australia’s dominance in the tournament, as a new champion will be crowned after Australia’s seven appearances in the finals. This year’s tournament was shifted to the UAE due to political unrest in Bangladesh, where it was originally scheduled to take place. Both South Africa and New Zealand have shown exceptional cricketing skills and courage throughout the competition.
New Zealand, led by captain Sophie Devine, put up a strong performance in the semifinals against the West Indies, defending a modest total of 128-9 with excellent bowling. Players like leading wicket-taker Amelia Kerr and bowler Eden Carson have been instrumental in New Zealand’s success. Devine expressed excitement about the final and emphasized that her team has nothing to lose, instilling a positive mindset for the upcoming match. However, she acknowledges the threat posed by a formidable South African team, particularly singling out players like Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, and Anneke Bosch.
South Africa, on the other hand, come into the final with confidence after a convincing win against Australia in the semifinals. Bosch’s brilliant knock of 74 not out played a key role in their victory. The Proteas have shown strength in both their batting and bowling departments, with players like Nonkululeko Mlaba and Kapp leading the bowling attack. The team is proud of their performance so far in the tournament and is looking forward to giving their best in the final. The South African squad is likely to remain unchanged for the final showdown.
In head-to-head encounters, South Africa holds a slight advantage over New Zealand in T20 matches, having won 8 out of the 15 meetings between the two teams since 2005. Both teams have been runners-up in previous T20 World Cups, with South Africa finishing second in 2023 and New Zealand in 2009 and 2010. In terms of recent form, South Africa has been impressive with only one loss in the tournament, while New Zealand has been consistent with a strong performance in their last few matches.
The toss and pitch conditions in Dubai are expected to play a role in the final, with teams opting to bat first in most games at the venue during this tournament. The hot weather is likely to impact the decision-making process, with the temperature expected to be around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and humidity at 50 percent. Both teams will have to adapt to the challenging conditions and strategize accordingly. With no major injuries in either squad, both South Africa and New Zealand are likely to field their strongest playing XI for the final showdown.
