ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 | Match 19: New Zealand vs Pakistan | Preview and Predictions

New Zealand will be wary and aware of the threat possessed by a Pakistan side with absolutely nothing to lose as the two lock horns in what is set to be a high-stakes Match 19 of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

For the game, here we present our preview and predictions.

ICC Women’s CWC 2025 | Match 19: NZ vs PAK | 15:00, October 18

New Zealand find themselves in a position where any mistake or any false step on their part will considerably dwindle their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals. With just a solitary win in four games, the White Ferns need to win this game to ease the pressure a bit as they look to build momentum and their push for the final four.

Captain Sophie Devine will once again hold the key to her side’s batting fortunes. Retiring from ODIs after the World Cup, she’ll be looking to go out with a bang. With one century and a couple of half-centuries in the three innings she has batted in, the 36-year-old is currently second in the list of the top run-getters, behind Australian skipper Alyssa Healy.

However, it is the batters alongside Devine who need to start pulling their weight in terms of contributions. With Suzie Bates having a poor tournament, and the rest of the batting order not being able to support their captain, things need to take an upwards turn in drastic fashion.

Pakistan, on the other hand, finally opened their account for the tournament after sharing points with England, but deep down they know that they could have won that game had the rain gods relented even a little given their promising start in pursuit of a paltry target of 134.

For the Women in Green, this tournament has been a classic case of an excellent bowling attack not being supported by the batters, who have been rather atrocious, with the exception of Sidra Amin, who has been their lone shining light amid a litany of bleak numbers.

Pakistan will once again be banking on their bowling attack, comprising Fatima Sana, Diana Baig, and Nashra Sandhu, to strangle the New Zealand batting line-up on a Colombo pitch they now know as second nature.

While Pakistan definitely have the wherewithal to cause genuine problems for the White Ferns in this game, New Zealand remain our favourites for the win. With a game against India coming soon, they know that a win here is of utmost importance. 

Fantasy XI: Sophie Devine (c), Sidra Amin, Georgia Plimmer, Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, Izzy Gaze (wk), Brooke Halliday, Fatima Sana, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Jess Kerr

Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Winners Prediction: New Zealand