White Ferns' victory

New Zealand wins Women's T20 World Cup, highlighting Pakistan's gap in women's cricket and need for investment.

The recently concluded Women's T20 World Cup in Dubai, where New Zealand clinched their maiden title with a 32-run victory over South Africa, shows the enormous strides being made by women's sports globally. For Pakistan, the tournament is a reminder of the significant gap that exists between the national side and the world's top teams.

New Zealand's triumph was a resilient one, especially considering they entered the tournament on the back of 10 consecutive losses. Their ability to rally under pressure and secure their first T20 title demonstrates the importance of a well-rounded, team-driven approach. Standout individual performances coupled with the depth and tactical nous is what propelled the White Ferns to success. In contrast, Pakistan's women's team has struggled to find its footing on the international stage. While there are individual talents such as Nida Dar and Bismah Maroof, the team lacks depth, consistency and experience necessary to challenge the top teams. This deficiency was particularly evident in high-pressure situations, where Pakistan often falls short due to a lack of match-winners. South Africans, despite their loss in the final, have emerged as one of the most competitive sides in women's cricket, with players like Laura Wolvaardt and Shabnim Ismail consistently delivering on the big stage.

For Pakistan to close the gap and compete at the highest level, investment and focus from the top is needed. This includes a stronger domestic system, more funding at the grassroots level, and improved training facilities. New Zealand's turnaround shows that with the right support and strategy, teams can overcome poor form to achieve greatness. The global women's game is evolving rapidly, and Pakistan must capitalise on this momentum.