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It was yet another heartbreak for South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup as they lost to New Zealand in the final on Sunday (Oct 20).

Playing at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, New Zealand beat South Africa by 32 runs to clinch their maiden T20 World Cup title.

The defeat means South Africa have now lost T20 World Cup finals in both men’s and women’s in a span of less than four months, while the women’s team has now lost back-to-back finals in the format.

Having been set a target of 159 runs to win by New Zealand, the Proteas could only manage to score 126/9 in their 20 overs to concede the match and title.

Rosemary Mair (25/3) and Amelia Kerr (24/3) were the heroes of the match for New Zealand as they finally ended the nation’s wait for a senior Cricket World Cup win.

The country’s only other World Cup success also came with the women's side in 2000, when they beat Australia to win the ODI World Cup final.

For South Africa, skipper Laura Wolvaardt tried her best to keep the side in contention, but her 33 runs could not make a big difference.

Interestingly, only three other batters could get into double figures for South Africa, highlighting their inability to take on the opposition bowlers.

New Zealand set 159-run target
Batting first, New Zealand batters Amelia Kerr (43 off 38 balls) and Brooke Halliday (38 off 28) helped the White Ferns score 158/5 in their 20 overs.

Suzie Bates also contributed with a well-made 32 off 31 deliveries. New Zealand gave a good account of themselves.

Halliday and Kerr stitched a 57-run stand for the fourth wicket, which propelled New Zealand above 150.

Nonkululeko Mlaba was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa and ended with figures of 31/2 in her four overs.

Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk all bagged one wicket each to help the Proteas restrict the White Fern