The winner will secure a spot in the final, a stage that New Zealand hasn’t reached since being runners-up in 2009 and 2010, while West Indies’ only final appearance was their title victory in 2016.
Notably, West Indies defeated New Zealand in the 2016 semifinal, adding an extra layer of motivation for the White Ferns to reverse that result and bid farewell to their senior players on a high note. Similarly, West Indies will aim to give their own departing veterans a fitting send-off.
New Zealand showcased their meticulous planning and execution in their opening match against India, utilizing tactics and match-ups devised over a year ago.
Despite a setback against Australia, they quickly regrouped to defeat Sri Lanka and secured a crucial victory against Pakistan to advance to the semifinals.
West Indies, on the other hand, had a rocky start, suffering a 10-wicket loss to South Africa in their first match. However, they staged a remarkable comeback, securing three consecutive victories.
After comfortably defeating Scotland and Bangladesh, they faced a daunting task against England, a team they hadn’t beaten in T20Is since 2019, with a 13-game losing streak.
Undeterred, West Indies approached the match with “a lot of hearts and a lot of fights,” ultimately prevailing and securing their spot in the next round.
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