New Zealand's Veteran Trio Secures Historic T20 World Cup Triumph

New Zealand's seasoned trio, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, and Lea Tahuhu, led the White Ferns to their first ICC Women's T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa. Captain Devine celebrated their triumph with fitting humor, as Bates and Tahuhu's outstanding performances sealed the historic victory.

New Zealand's formidable trio, comprising Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, and Lea Tahuhu, affectionately dubbed the "grandmas" of their squad, clinched a historic victory on Sunday by leading the White Ferns to their inaugural ICC Women's T20 World Cup title. The all-round team showcased their prowess in a 32-run win over South Africa.

For veterans Bates and Devine, aged 37 and 35 respectively, the triumph came as the third time lucky, having tasted defeat in previous finals against England and Australia in 2009 and 2010. Dubai 2024 became a momentous finale for the duo as Bates delivered a commanding performance, surpassing Mithali Raj as the most-capped player in women's international cricket.

Scoring 32 from 31 deliveries, Bates set the stage for a competitive New Zealand total of 158/5. Devine, who lifted the trophy amid heartfelt jokes, praised her teammate: "Suze's aggression and fearlessness were pivotal." Though Devine's final match contribution was modest, her earlier performances were crucial to New Zealand's unbeaten run.

Lea Tahuhu, often overshadowed, played a pivotal role in the final, reaching 93 career wickets. Devine remarked on Tahuhu's relentless spirit: "Lea competes and scraps for us, changing the game's trajectory." The trio's remarkable statistics solidify their legacy as giants of women's T20I cricket.

(With inputs from agencies.)