ISLAMABAD:New Zealand outlasted a racing start from Pakistan captain Javeria Khan to secure their first win of the ICC Women’s World T20 2018, a comfortable 54-run victory in the end on Thursday in Georgetown. But India’s win earlier, against Ireland, meant that New Zealand were eliminated from the tournament before the semi-finals for only the second time. New Zealand put up a team effort with the bat to score 144 for seven, with their rearranged top four scoring 122 of those runs. Sophie Devine retuned to open the batting with Suzie Bates, and the two put on 59 for the first wicket with a mix of aggression and good running. Bates top scored with 35, and Devine was close behind with 32. Amy Satterthwaite and the in-form Katie Martin then added 37 for the fourth wicket, until both were dismissed in a series that saw four wickets fall for 13 runs in eight balls across the last two overs of the innings. The late slump meant that New Zealand scored only 70 in their last 10 overs, failing to double their halfway score. In reply, Javeria gave them a scare, following up her career best 74 not out in the last game with a quick-fire 36 off just 23 balls. That left Pakistan needing just 96 runs in the remaining 84 balls with eight wickets in hand. But she received no support from the other end, only one other regular batter getting into double figures. The spin duo of Jess Watkin and Amelia Kerr finished with six wickets between them, bowling Pakistan out for 90 in exactly 18 overs. New Zealand’s Jess Watkin, who took three wickets, said: “You never know what this wicket is going to do, whether it’s going to turn or stay low, so yeah, it’s real nice to bowl with. We didn’t finish well with the bat, but I think we just kind of put it behind us and just focused on our bowling and really went hard out there. I think when we got (Nida) Dar out, I think we definitely had a chance then, that was the turning point.” Pakistan captain Javeria said: “We have worked a lot on the batting since last year. The coach Mark Coles has been giving us clear plans and the girls have responded well. He brings a new thinking and a new culture to the dressing room. The find of this tour was Umaima Sohail. Even though she didn’t perform as well this time, we have seen that she has the talent and the ability to absorb pressure.” Brief scores: New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 54 runs at the Guyana National Stadium at Georgetown, Guyana New Zealand: 144-6, 20 overs (Suzie Bates 35, Sophie Devine 32; Aliya Riaz 2-29, Sana Mir 2-35) VS Pakistan: 90 all out in 18 overs (Javeria Khan 36; Jess Watkin 3-9, Amelia Kerr 3-21); Player of the Match: Jess Watkin. Published in Daily Times, November 17th 2018.