New Zealand Wins First T20 World Cup Title

New Zealand's women's cricket team secured their first T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa by 32 runs in the final held in Dubai on October 20, 2024. Led by Amelia Kerr, who scored 43 runs and took three wickets, the White Ferns set a competitive target of 158 runs. South Africa, despite a promising start at 51 without loss, suffered a dramatic collapse, ending their innings at 126 for 9, marking their second consecutive defeat in a T20 World Cup final. Captain Laura Wolvaardt expressed disappointment at the team's inability to replicate their semifinal form, where they previously triumphed over Australia. The loss adds to South Africa's history of near misses in major tournaments, continuing a narrative of heartbreak for the Proteas. In contrast, New Zealand celebrated a historic victory after previously enduring a series of losses.