DUBAI: Some fine bowling from Amelia Kerr and Eden Carson propelled New Zealand into the semifinals of the Women’s T20 World Cup with a 54-run thrashing of Pakistan in their last group match on Monday.
Off-spinner Carson, who was named player of the match, took 2-7 from her three overs while Kerr ended with 3-14 as New Zealand bowled out Pakistan for just 56 in 11.4 overs.
New Zealand, who posted 110-6 off their 20 overs, became the second team from Group A to make it to the last-four after holders Australia who finish on top.
Defeat marked the end of Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying and meant that India were also eliminated, paying the price for their opening 58-run defeat by New Zealand.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said New Zealand captain Sophie Devine.
“We will certainly celebrate tonight but this is just the next stage of a tournament we are looking forward to.”
Pakistan needed to reach the target in just 10.4 overs if they were to improve their net run rate enough to overhaul the White Ferns in the table.
But they started their chase on a shaky note, losing openers Aliya Riaz, promoted up to opener, for nought and Muneeba Ali (15) inside the first five overs.
It was downhill thereafter, with Sadaf Shamas (two) being clean bowled by Fran Jonas and Iram Javed (three) being run out by a direct throw from Lea Tahuhu.
Reduced to 28-5 at the end of powerplay, Pakistan never recovered.
Skipper Fatima Sana, who was back with the team after flying home briefly to Pakistan following the death of her father, played a lone hand, making 21 in a lost cause.
“We were good with the ball but we have to improve our batting and fielding,” said Sana reflecting on the eight catches that Pakistan put down.
“We were not up to the mark. I think our seniors should step up in these kinds of matches.”
New Zealand were off to a steady start after electing to bat first, with Suzie Bates (28) and Georgia Plimmer (17) sharing 41 runs for the opening wicket.
But Pakistan struck soon after the powerplay, dismissing both openers and Kerr (nine) in quick succession.
Pakistan paid the price for their sloppy fielding with Sidra Amin dropping a sitter off Nida Dar when Sophie Devine was on 14.
Devine, though, failed to capitalize and was scooped up by Sana at long on off Sadia Iqbal for 19.
Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu was the most successful bowler, picking up 3-18, including the wicket of Brooke Halliday for 22.
New Zealand thrash Pakistan to reach Women’s T20 World Cup semis
https://arab.news/vhytr
New Zealand thrash Pakistan to reach Women’s T20 World Cup semis
- New Zealand, who posted 110-6 off 20 overs, became second team from Group A to make it to semis
- Defeat marked the end of Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying and meant that India were also eliminated
Pakistan to auction 5G spectrum tomorrow ahead of phased rollout in major cities
- 5G services will initially begin in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta
- Regulator will auction 11 bands to Ufone, Zong and Jazz via electronic bidding system
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will hold an auction for 5G spectrum tomorrow, Tuesday, as the government prepares to launch next-generation mobile services in five major cities in bid to improve Internet speeds and connectivity, top officials said on Monday.
The development comes at a time of mounting pressure on Pakistan’s telecommunication networks and Internet service providers, with users and businesses frequently complaining of slow speeds and disruptions as a limited spectrum struggles to serve the South Asian nation of over 240 million.
Pakistan has more than 130 million broadband connections but access remains uneven, though its IT exports reached a record $3.8 billion in Fiscal Year 2024–25, up from $3.2 billion the previous year, marking an 18 percent year-on-year increase, according to the Pakistan Software Export Board.
The 5G spectrum auction will begin at 10am on Tuesday through an electronic system at the Pakistan Television headquarters, according to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) Director-General for Licensing Aamir Shahzad.
“In the first phase, six spectrum bands will be auctioned among mobile network operators Ufone, Zong and Jazz, followed by bidding for five additional bands until 4pm,” he said at a briefing in Islamabad.
PTA Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman said a mock trial had already been conducted and all three telecom operators had been briefed on the bidding process.
The auction will not follow an open bidding format as each spectrum band would be auctioned separately, according to officials. The government expects the launch of 5G services to improve digital connectivity without increasing costs for consumers.
“The introduction of 5G will not raise data prices and there will be no additional burden on consumers,” the PTA chairman said.
IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the government was encouraging wider adoption of 5G-compatible devices in Pakistan.
“Our aim is that as many people as possible use 5G mobile phones,” she said, adding that about 95 percent of mobile phones in Pakistan are locally manufactured.
According to officials, 5G services will initially be rolled out in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta, before expanding nationwide as the infrastructure develops.
Khawaja said Pakistan currently uses 274-megahertz spectrum which has been in use since 1987, and the upcoming auction will make a 600-megahertz spectrum available.
She said the auction would be conducted through specialized software and streamed live to ensure transparency.
PTA DG Licensing Shahzad said Pakistan currently has one of the lowest spectrum allocations in the region, and the government has prepared a nine-year plan for complete 5G rollout.
Under the plan, telecom operators will add around 3,000 new network sites each year, with initial 5G speeds expected to reach 50 megabits per second (Mbps).
PTA officials also said Pakistan currently offers some of the world’s cheapest mobile data services and assured that consumer protection would remain a priority.
Around 500,000 5G-enabled mobile phones have been produced in Pakistan in recent months, while five local manufacturers have already started producing more such devices, they added.
