When the Pakistan women's cricket team took on New Zealand in their final group stage match of the 2024 T20 World Cup, it wasn't just their own country cheering them on. In a rare case, the Pakistan team also received support from across the border as the Indian team's chances of qualifying for the semi-finals also depended on their neighbors. However, Pakistan put up one of the worst performances in the history of the tournament and lost the game by 54 runs thanks to as many as eight dropped catches.

Pakistan restricted New Zealand to 110/6 in 20 overs, but not before wasting a whopping eight catch chances and even a few run-out opportunities. Pakistan's Fatima Sana herself dropped as many as four catches, most of which were regulation catches as the Kiwis continued to exploit their luck.

While chasing the target of 111 runs, Pakistan barely managed to get a grip on their opponents' bowling. Poor shot selection and a rouge style of play saw them bowled out by 56 runs. The total is the second worst in Women's T20 World Cup history.

Even Sana Mir, the former captain of the Pakistan women's team, was amazed to see her team's erratic behavior in cricket, especially on the field.

“I’ve never seen that in 15 years as a player,” Mir said in the final innings.

Pakistan's lost catches against New Zealand: overs 4.2, 5.2, 7.3, 15.5, 17.2, 19.1, 19.3 and 19.5

Pakistan dropped 8 catches against New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/kW53N2A31t

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 14, 2024

You know how many catches have been made #Pakistan in today's game #NZWvsPAKW pic.twitter.com/G7EmSqKxWh

— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) October 14, 2024

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana admitted at the post-match presentation ceremony that her team needs to improve its fielding.

“We bowled well but we need to improve our fielding and batting. We weren't up to par in batting and the seniors need to do better in games like this. As a bowling unit, we were at the top of our game. “But we have to improve in batting, otherwise we cannot survive in women’s cricket,” she said.

Thanks to New Zealand's victory, both India and Pakistan were eliminated in the semi-finals.