NZ women stay unbeaten

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

New Zealand completed a clean sweep of their preliminary round campaign when they crushed luckless Pakistan by six wickets in their final game of the Women's World Twenty20 Championship yesterday.

Playing at Warner Park in Group B, New Zealand sent Pakistan tumbling for a paltry 65 for nine from their 20 overs before cruising to 71 for four off just 8.2 overs in their turn at the crease.

Pakistan were in with a sniff when they reduced New Zealand to five for one off the third ball of the innings after removing the dangerous Suzie Bates cheaply, but Sophie Devine (23) and captain Aimee Watkins (15) killed off the game with a 40-run, second- wicket stand.

Meanwhile, India beat Sri Lanka by 71 runs in their Group B game at the Beausejour Cricket Stadium yesterday, to claim the last spot in the semis.

Scores: INDIA 144 for three off 20 overs (Sulakshana Naik 59, Mithali Raj 52 not out; Udeshika Prabodani 1-15). SRI LANKA 73 for nine off 20 overs (Deepika Rasangika 31; Diana David 4-12).

Australia will face India in the first semi-final in St Lucia on Thursday, while New Zealand will take on home favourites West Indies at the same venue on Friday.