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[Watch] Sophie Devine Gets Emotional As New Zealand Win Their First Ever World T20 Title

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

New Zealand women players celebrating after winning the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 [Source: Screen grab from @StarSportsIndia/x.com]New Zealand women players celebrating after winning the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 [Source: Screen grab from @StarSportsIndia/x.com]

New Zealand women faced off against South Africa women in the final match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024. Under the leadership of veteran Sophie Devine, the White Ferns won the game by a convincing margin of 32 runs and lifted their first-ever world title. 

Amelia Kerr staredd with an all-round show

Laura Wolvaardt, the skipper of the South African team, won the toss and opted to field first. Even though Georgia Plimmer failed to stick with Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr stabilised the ship for the team. While Amelia Kerr (43 off 38) was the anchor for the team, Brooke Halliday, with her cameo of 38 from 28 balls, provided momentum to the team towards the end of the innings. New Zealand managed to post a competitive total of 158/5 at the end of their 20 overs. 

Laura Wolvaardt gave her team a brilliant start in the chase. Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits's partnership of 51 runs for the first wicket put South Africa ahead, and it looked like they would cruise to victory. However, the arrival of Amelia Kerr to the bowling crease triggered a collapse where South Africa lost five wickets for just 18 runs. This took away the momentum from the chase. 

The New Zealand bowlers continued their good work and did not allow the lower order for South Africa to flourish. In the end, Sophie Devine and her unit restricted the South Africans at 126/9 and won the game by 32 runs.

Sophie Devine hugs Suize Bates as the White Ferns win the T20 World Cup

Eden Carson bowled the final over of the match. As the off-spinner bowled the last ball of the match and the win was ensured for the team, Sophie Devine was seen getting emotional and hugging Suzie Bates. The whole team of New Zealand women were on the field to savour the moment. 

This was the last tournament Sophie Devine led her team in. She had already announced that she would step down from the role after the tournament. Winning the last tournament as a skipper and the first for her nation made the veteran Kiwi star emotional.