New Zealand have their task cut out for them as they take on Pakistan in their final 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group Stage game, knowing nothing less than a win will see them through.
Pakistan, on the other hand, have an outside chance and would like to at least end their World Cup campaign on a high.
Ahead of the game, here are our preview and predictions.
New Zealand started their World Cup campaign with a big win over India as captain Sophie Devine led from the front with the bat before Rosemary Mair and Lea Tahuhu bundled India out for a paltry 102.
The Kiwis did, however, fall to their neighbours Australia in a lop-sided affair. While Amelia Kerr managed to get a four-wicket haul, Devine’s batters let her down as only Kerr and Suzie Bates managed to get to the 20-run mark.
In their last match against Sri Lanka, there was a batting resurgence from the White Ferns with Georgia Plimmer getting crucial runs at the top of the order alongside Kerr. Should New Zealand make it through to the semis, they will want their batting unit to fire together as a lineup.
Pakistan, like New Zealand, started their campaign with a win, though they faltered after that. Fatima Sana’s all-round performance helped Pakistan comfortably defend 116 in the opener, but in the following two games Pakistan’s batting has proved to be a big problem. The talented Muneeba Ali is yet to get going, while Sidra Amin, Sadaf Shamas, and Nida Dar have not been able to convert their starts.
Pakistan will be boosted as Sana returns to the squad after missing out their last game. Her lower-order heroics will be key for her side. With the ball, Pakistan have had Sana and Sadia Iqbal regularly among the wickets, while Omaima Sohail has chipped in with her off break as well. With the experienced Diana Baig set to miss the clash against New Zealand, Pakistan will hope that the other bowlers around Sana and Iqbal come through on the day.
With a lot on the line for both the teams, we should be in for a close encounter, though we give New Zealand the edge here and back them to make the semis.
Suzie Bates, Muneeba Ali, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, Nida Dar, Fatima Sana, Lea Tahuhu, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Rosemary Mair
Venue: Dubai
Winners Prediction: New Zealand
Also read: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Sponsors
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