The UAE hosted the ICC 2024 T20 World Cup, where both New Zealand and South Africa fought their way through the group and knockout phases to reach the final. The championship match was eventually held at the Dubai International Stadium.
On Sunday, October 20, South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first. Although New Zealand's openers, Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates, started aggressively, Plimmer was sent back for 9 runs after a caught attempt at a six off Ayabonga Khaka. Suzie Bates followed soon after, falling to Nonkululeko Mlaba for 32 runs off 31 balls, including three fours.
Nadine de Klerk put the New Zealand side on the defensive by dismissing captain Sophie Devine for only 6 runs. The South African bowlers then tightened their grip during the middle period, successfully preventing any boundaries for 49 balls between the 5.4 and 13.5 marks. The scoring resumed when Halliday stepped up, partnering with Kerr for 57 runs before being caught by Anneke Bosch off the bowling of Chloe Tryon for 38.
Amelia Kerr kept the momentum going with several boundaries in the 19th over, though she was eventually dismissed for 43 (off 38 balls) by Nonkululeko Mlaba on the second-to-last delivery. A late six from Maddy Green pushed New Zealand's total to 158-5 by the end of their 20 overs. In response, South Africa's chase began strongly with captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits at the crease.
South Africa looked comfortable early on, scoring 47 runs during the powerplay. However, the tide turned when Fran Jonas dismissed Tazmin Brits for 17. Things worsened when Amelia Kerr got rid of captain Laura Wolvaardt, who was caught at extra cover by Suzie after scoring 33. This wicket triggered a collapse, and Kerr further dismantled the lineup by removing Anneke Bosch for 9 on the final ball of the over, leaving South Africa at 64/3 by the midpoint.
The decline continued as Eden Carson took the vital wicket of Marizanne Kapp for 8 runs. Shortly after, Rosemary Mair dismissed Nadine de Klerk for 6. The pressure mounted when Halliday bowled out Luus for 8. Amelia Kerr, cementing her record for the most wickets in a single Women's T20 World Cup tournament, also took the wicket of Annerie Dercksen for 10. To wrap things up, Mair dismissed
Chloe Tryon for 14, followed by Sinalo Jafta for 6 in the same over. South Africa ended their innings at 126-9, suffering a disappointing 32-run loss. While the Proteas faced another final-round heartbreak, New Zealand celebrated a historic milestone, winning the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup for the first time.