By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa and the West Indies qualified for the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals after the latter thrashed England by six wickets in Dubai on Tuesday , 15 October.
Coming into the game, England were full of confidence after three comfortable wins over Bangladesh, South Africa and Scotland, knowing that a win by any margin would be enough to see them through.
But, the tournament’s format is unforgiving and one slip can cost you – they may have only lost one game, but so had their opponents, and they were not ruthless enough.
The Proteas found themselves as the third contender in the final Group B match between England and West Indies, with their semi-final fate hanging on the result of the game between the two teams.
It was a permutations challenge leading into the match: Three teams with only two advancing. England, on six points after three straight wins, would secure their place with a victory, leaving the West Indies out.
A narrow West Indies win, however, would have seen all three teams finish on six points, with South Africa potentially missing out on net run rate.
The semi-finals will take place between South Africa and defending champions Australia on Thursday, followed by West Indies v New Zealand on Friday.