High Stakes for Pakistan and New Zealand as They Fight for Semifinal Spots High Stakes for Pakistan and New Zealand as They Fight for Semifinal Spots
High Stakes for Pakistan and New Zealand as They Fight for Semifinal Spots

October 15, 2024

High Stakes for Pakistan and New Zealand as They Fight for Semifinal Spots

The qualification scenarios are intense as New Zealand prepares to face Pakistan in their final Group A league match. Defending champions Australia have already secured their spot in the semifinals with four consecutive wins, but the second spot remains contested. New Zealand is the frontrunner; a victory against Pakistan would guarantee their advancement. Conversely, a loss would favor India, which sits in second place due to a superior net run rate.

Pakistan also has a sensational chance of qualifying, reflecting its unpredictable nature. If they defeat New Zealand by more than 53 runs or 9.1 overs (given a target of 150), they could leapfrog India and New Zealand into the semifinals. This high-stakes match promises to be thrilling. New Zealand, however, may regret their situation after starting the tournament strong with a dominant win over India in Dubai. Their initial 58-run victory was overshadowed by a 60-run loss to Australia, negatively impacting their net run rate.

New Zealand secured a solid win against Sri Lanka, but boosting their net run rate on the Sharjah pitches remains challenging, even though England managed to do so against Scotland. The White Ferns are a resilient team and, like their male counterparts, are often underestimated yet can be pretty dangerous. However, they need more support from their spinners, as Amelia Kerr has been carrying the workload. The recent form of Georgia Plimmer is a positive for the batting lineup. At the same time, Kerr and captain Sophie Devine pose significant threats to any opponent.

Read More: Tilak Varma Appointed Captain of India A for Emerging Teams Asia Cup

New Zealand Looks to Capitalize on Favorable Conditions as Pakistan Aims to Overcome Batting Struggles and Qualify Against the Odds

Conditions in Dubai favor New Zealand more than those in Sharjah, as the pitches offer better bounce. On the other hand, Pakistan has lost both games in Dubai, with its only victory coming against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. It has little to lose in this upcoming match, as its chances of qualifying look slim. However, this uncertainty often makes it more dangerous. Its batting has been a significant issue, and even in its win against Sri Lanka, skipper Fatima Sana’s performance saved the day.

Fatima Sana, who missed the match against Australia due to her father’s sudden passing, has returned to the UAE and will be available for this upcoming clash. Recently, she has been Pakistan’s most consistent batter in this format, and it will be interesting to see if she chooses to bat higher in the order or continue her role as a finisher.

Pakistan’s openers have struggled to find their rhythm in this tournament, so they must improve their performance. If the batting lineup can stabilize, their bowling attack, especially the spinners, has the potential to be effective in these conditions. However, the team will feel the absence of pacer Diana Baig, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to a calf injury, which is a significant loss.

When: Monday, October 14, at 6 PM local time | 7:30 PM IST

Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

What to Expect: The pitches in Dubai have generally been good for batting, offering better pace and bounce. However, spin will still play an important role, especially as the pitches become worn. Toss results haven’t significantly impacted outcomes, with teams chasing having a slight edge at 3 wins to 2 against teams batting first.

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Team News

New Zealand: The White Ferns will likely keep the same starting XI, although Fran Jonas’s finger injury remains uncertain. Leigh Kasparek’s inclusion adds strength to the batting lineup.

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: The return of skipper Fatima Sana is a significant boost for the team. One of Iram Javed or Sadaf Shamas is expected to make way for her. With Diana Baig out due to injury, Pakistan will likely keep the same bowling combination, as the backup pace options are relatively inexperienced.

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.

What they said:

“We are not up to the mark in batting. That’s not how you approach T20 cricket; it’s embarrassing, and we need to change that and win games for Pakistan.” Pakistan’s vice-captain Muneeba Ali admits that her side’s primary concern is that

“Just wanted to back my skills lately, had good conversations with the coaches and all the players in the team to try and go out there and play my brand.” – New Zealand’s latest batting star Georgia Plimmer talks about her secret of success.

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author
Katarzyna Nowak

Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for The Wicket Insider, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.