Candy shines for New Zealand

Rachel Candy's maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket set up New Zealand's seven-wicket victory against Pakistan in a Group B Women's World Cup game at the Barabati Stadium on Sunday. The win ensured the White Ferns a place in Super Six.

Candy was the star of the day, forcing a breakthrough in each of her three spells to dismiss Pakistan for a paltry 104. Having been dismissed for 84, chasing Australia's total of 175, Pakistan adopted a cautious approach after choosing to bat first. The top order seemed to be concentrating more on occupying the crease rather than scoring runs.

Accurate spells by Candy and Lea Tahuhu put pressure on the batsmen. The openers, Javeria Khan and Sidra Amin, hardly looked comfortable at the crease and Candy got her first wicket when Javeria's attempted square cut lobbed to Bates at point.

The early wicket put captain Sana Mir and Amin on the defensive and the duo scored only six runs in the next five overs. Amin was the first to be dismissed, caught by Amy Satterthwaite off Broadmore's bowling. Her 35-ball vigil at the crease yielded only four runs. Mir followed in the next over, trapped leg before by Candy and Pakistan were 18 for 3 in 10 overs. Pakistan's innings never recovered from that situation and the side was dismissed cheaply for the second time in three days.

New Zealand lived up to the tag of being the favourites by coming up with a second formidable performance. Their bowlers struck at regular intervals and Pakistan would have struggled to reach the three-figure mark if the bowlers had not conceded 11 wides.

New Zealand's chase stuttered a little when Sana Mir picked up two wickets in two balls, leaving the batting side at 39 for 3. It was left to captain Suzie Bates to lead her side's innings with an unbeaten knock of 65. With Sophie Devine, the star of the opening match missing, Katie Perkins stepped up and provided some much-needed support to Bates to ensure that New Zealand strode home with more than 20 overs to spare.