New Zealand and South Africa Reach Women's T20 World Cup Final: A Testament to Persistence

New Zealand and South Africa persevered through tribulations to reach the Women's T20 World Cup final, happening on Sunday in Dubai. Both teams had suffered the disappointment and sting of an unsuccessful home World Cup. Winning this tournament would signify more than a dream achieved; it would be a validation of unwavering faith in their 'processes'.

New Zealand had come into the World Cup on a dismal losing streak of 10 games, and were counted out before even setting foot in UAE. However, a victory over title favourites India in their opener based on a year-long plan gave Sophie Devine's team a spot in the knockouts. Their journey to the finals involved overcoming the obstacle of the West Indies, the very team that had eliminated them from the semis at the previous tournament. 

South Africa had their own struggles, with a heart-breaking failure against Australia in front of a home crowd needing recovery. Their progress under new leadership in the following 18 months was clear. Calmness was noted as a contributing factor to their success, soaking into the team from the seasoned players to the younger members. 

Both teams endured, overcoming the least win-loss ratios among the 10 teams in the World Cup cycle. But neither let their past performance or criticism perturb them. Breaking through these odds to reach the World Cup final was a momentous moment encapsulating the effort and determination of both teams. The victory would be more than just a title—it would be the validation of a dream long chased and the fortitude shown in their journey.