New Zealand thumps Pakistan to reach T20 World Cup semis and knocks out India

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — New Zealand reached its first Women's T20 World Cup semifinals in eight years after dismissing Pakistan for a record-low 56 on Monday.

Wrist spinner Amelia Kerr picked up 3-14 and New Zealand won by 54 runs in the last Group A clash.

New Zealand had to win to knock out India and join defending champion Australia in the semifinals. Pakistan had a slim chance but fell to the second lowest score in the T20 World Cup's 25-year history.

Opener Suzie Bates scored 28 off 29 balls to help New Zealand register 110-6. Then they fielded brilliantly to dismiss Pakistan in 11.4 overs. They were led by Kerr, off-spinner Eden Carson, who took two wickets, and two run outs.

The last Group B match between England and West Indies on Tuesday will determine the semifinal matchups. Both teams and South Africa are in contention.

New Zealand opted to bat and made a good start of 41 off 39 balls between Suzie Bates and Georgia Palmer (17).

Bates hit three fours in her 28 before she fell to left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu, who took 3-18.

Kerr fell for 9 but a 38-run partnership between skipper Sophie Devine (19) and Brooke Halliday (22) helped them put a challenging total against Pakistan's frail batting.

Opener Muneeba Ali scored 15 off 11 without any support from the top order. Skipper Fatima Sana returned to the lineup and top-scored with 21 but they were the only two batters to reach double digits.

New Zealand’s persistent attack reduced Pakistan to 28-5 in 5.4 overs. A second collapse saw Pakistan lose its last five wickets for four runs in 12 deliveries to exit the tournament.

The only lower total in tournament history was Bangladesh's 46 against the host West Indies in 2018. Pakistan's previous low was 60 against host England in 2009.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand's Suzie Bates bats during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between Pakistan and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

New Zealand's Eden Carson takes the catch to get the wicket of Pakistan's Omaima Sohail during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between Pakistan and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

New Zealand's Eden Carson celebrates after taking the catch to get the wicket of Pakistan's Omaima Sohail during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between Pakistan and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

New Zealand's Amelia Kerr, left, celebrates the wicket of Pakistan's Nida Dar during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between Pakistan and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

New Zealand's Eden Carson celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Omaima Sohail during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between Pakistan and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

MAGDEBURG, Germany (AP) — Germany on Saturday was still in shock and struggling to understand the suspect behind the attack in the city of Magdeburg.

Identified by local media as 50-year-old Taleb A., a psychiatry and psychotherapy specialist, authorities said he has been living in Germany for two decades. He was arrested on site after plowing a black BMW into a Christmas market crowded with holiday shoppers Friday evening, killing at least five people and wounding about 200 others.

Prominent German terrorism expert Peter Neumann posted on X that he had yet to come across a suspect in an act of mass violence with that profile.

Taleb’s X account is filled with tweets and retweets focusing on anti-Islam themes and criticism of the religion while sharing congratulatory notes to Muslims who left the faith. He also described himself as a former Muslim.

He was critical of German authorities, saying they had failed to do enough to combat the “Islamism of Europe.”

He has also voiced support for the far-right and anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Some described Taleb as an activist who helped Saudi women flee their homeland. Recently, he seemed focused on his theory that German authorities have been targeting Saudi asylum seekers.

Neumann, the terrorism expert, wrote: “After 25 years in this ‘business’ you think nothing could surprise you anymore. But a 50-year-old Saudi ex-Muslim who lives in East Germany, loves the AfD and wants to punish Germany for its tolerance towards Islamists — that really wasn’t on my radar."

A person stands by flowers and candles placed outside St. John's Church near a Christmas Market, where a car drove into a crowd on Friday evening, in Magdeburg, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)