Heartbreak for WI players as captain Matthews devastated after loss; NZ players stunned in tears of joy after T20WC final berth

In the nail-biting final over of the semifinal match in Sharjah on Friday, Suzie Bates showcased immense composure as she defended 15 runs off the only over she bowled in the game, securing an eight-run victory for New Zealand. Despite conceding a boundary off the first delivery, the right-arm medium bowler quickly bounced back to take a crucial wicket and restrict the opposition to just two more runs for the remainder of the over. Bates' stellar performance under pressure ultimately proved to be the turning point in the game, sealing the win for her team.

With the win, New Zealand, who finished as runners-up in the first two editions (2009 and 2010) of the T20 World Cup, returned to the final for the first time in 14 years. They will take on South Africa in Sunday's final at Dubai, where a first-time champion will be crowned. South Africa, earlier on Thursday, stunned defending champions Australia, winning by eight wickets to reach its second straight final.

Following the match, West Indies players were left crestfallen. Deandra Dottin was left teary-eyed, and so was captain Hayley Matthews even as they walked out for handshakes. The 2016 champions were hoping to qualify for the final for the second time in history.

While there was agony in the Windies camp, New Zealand players were left with tears of disbelief. Bates, who was part of the finals New Zealand played in 2009 and 2010, had tears in her eyes, albeit of joy. The visual was followed by Amelia Kerr jumping on her teammates, while a few others embraced each other.

Following a stunning show from her bowlers Amelia Kerr, the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 12 scalps, and Eden Carson, who also bowled superbly, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine looked optimistically towards the final.

"We are really excited about the final. We have nothing to lose and that is a great space to be," said Devine who was in the team that lost to Australia by three runs in the 2010 final, the latter of New Zealand's two previous finals.

"We are going to win this thing now."