Compare that to South Africa, who have reached the last two World Cup finals, but are still waiting for the launch of their own women’s T20 league. The men’s SA20 began in 2023; they ‘plan’ to launch the women’s in 2026.

The pain was just too raw. Ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup, Esha Oza, the host country’s leading female player, admitted she had plenty of misgivings about watching the tournament. Sixteen more runs in the decisive qualifying fixture against Sri Lanka,

New Zealand became world champions for the first time in their history by beating South Africa by 32 runs in Dubai.No Kiwi team, men’s or women’s, had ever won a T20 World Cup before Sunday night, and their victory was down to an inspired performance by leg-spinning all-rounder Amelia Kerr.