Qualification scenarios are plentiful as New Zealand prepare to take on Pakistan in the final Group A league match. Defending champions Australia have already secured a semifinal spot with four straight wins, but the second spot is still up for grabs. New Zealand is currently in the driver’s seat, with a victory over Pakistan being enough to secure their place. However, a loss would benefit India, who sit in second place due to a superior net run rate.
In the mix is a thrilling qualification possibility for Pakistan, fitting their reputation for unpredictability. If they manage to defeat New Zealand by more than 53 runs or 9.1 overs (based on a total of 150), Pakistan could leapfrog both New Zealand and India to reach the semifinals. With such high stakes, this match promises intense competition. New Zealand, meanwhile, may regret allowing it to come to this point, especially after opening the tournament with a dominant win over India in Dubai. Unfortunately for the White Ferns, that 58-run victory was overshadowed by a 60-run loss to Australia, which impacted their net run rate.
New Zealand did regain momentum with a solid win against Sri Lanka, but boosting net run rate on the slow Sharjah pitches is challenging, even though England managed it against Scotland. The White Ferns, known for their understated yet dangerous approach, will look for more contributions from their support spinners, as Amelia Kerr has shouldered much of the responsibility. Georgia Plimmer’s recent form has strengthened the batting lineup, while Kerr and captain Sophie Devine remain key threats to any opposition.
The conditions in Dubai should be more favorable for New Zealand than Sharjah, with the pitches offering better bounce. It’s also a venue where Pakistan has lost both of their previous matches, with their only win coming at Sharjah against Sri Lanka. That said, Pakistan enters this game with nothing to lose, making their unpredictable nature even more dangerous. Their batting has been a major concern, and even in the win against Sri Lanka, it was captain Fatima Sana’s innings that saved them from a collapse.
Sana, who missed the match against Australia due to her father’s passing, has returned to the UAE and will be available for this crucial game. She has been Pakistan’s most reliable batter in recent matches, and it will be interesting to see if she decides to bat higher up the order or continues to play the finisher role. Pakistan’s openers, however, need to step up, as they have struggled throughout the tournament. If the batting improves, their bowling, particularly the spin attack, has the potential to create an upset. The absence of pacer Diana Baig, ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury, is a significant blow.
Match Details:
- When: Monday, October 14 at 6 pm local time | 7:30 PM IST
- Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- What to Expect: Dubai surfaces have been better for batting, offering more pace and bounce, though spin will still play a crucial role, especially with the pitches likely to be worn. The toss hasn’t been much of a deciding factor, with a 3-2 win split favoring chasing teams.
Team News:
- New Zealand: The White Ferns are expected to stick with the same XI, though there is uncertainty regarding Fran Jonas’s finger injury. Kasparek’s inclusion adds depth to both their bowling and batting lineups. Probable XI: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Isabella Gaze (wk), Lea Tahuhu, Leigh Kasparek, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson.
- Pakistan: With captain Fatima Sana back, one of Iram Javed or Sadaf Shamas will likely make way. With Baig out, Pakistan is expected to retain their current bowling attack due to a lack of experienced pace options. Probable XI: Muneeba Ali (wk), Sidra Amin, Sadaf Shamas/Iram Javed, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Omaima Sohail, Tuba Hassan, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Syeda Aroob Shah.
Quotes:
- “We haven’t been up to the mark in batting. This isn’t how you play T20 cricket, it’s embarrassing, and we need to change that to win games for Pakistan,” Pakistan’s vice-captain Muneeba Ali admitted the team’s biggest issue.
- “I’ve been backing my skills lately and had good talks with the coaches and players to go out there and play my game,” New Zealand’s rising batting star Georgia Plimmer shared the secret to her recent success.
