India, June 21 -- New Zealand kept alive slim hopes of defending the Women's Twenty20 World Cup title by beating Ireland by four runs in a thriller to the last ball.

Ten dropped catches cost New Zealand its first two games against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, and it faced elimination with two group games remaining if it didn't beat Ireland, also winless. New Zealand recovered from 10-3 to post 140-6 on a last-ball six by Suzie Bates, the storied allrounder making her first appearance in the tournament only after fellow retiree-to-be Sophie Devine became ill. New Zealand pacer Bree Illing bowled out with a sterling 1-18 but Ireland captain Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast played around her and Jess Kerr (0-23) in a partnership of 110 int...