ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, Match 15 & 16, Group B, Preview – Pakistan, West Indies vying for top two spots

Pakistan started the Women’s T20 World Cup on a grand note after rolling over the West Indies in their first game. However, the 42-run defeat at the hands of England have jolted them big time. Their net run rate, which is currently at -0.711 has also taken a hit. Their next match is against table toppers South Africa at the Sydney Showground Stadium and another loss could end their campaign.

The Proteas will formally qualify if they win their third game. In the other game in Sunday’s doubleheader at the same venue, West Indies will be up against England. If the latter manages to win, then they will qualify for the semis. Following the defeat versus the Proteas, Heather Knight and Co have Thailand and Pakistan comprehensively. West Indies, on the contrary, can’t afford a mishap.

South Africa vs Pakistan, Match 15, Group B

Team Combination

South Africa

Marizanne Kapp missed the last game due to illness. Kapp has scored 38 runs and picked up a couple of wickets. She is likely to return in place of Nadine de Klerk. Lizelle Lee is brimming with confidence after her jaw-dropping century against Thailand. Van Niekerk’s role will also be crucial. Shabnim Ismail is their leading wicket-taker with seven scalps. Sune Luus has put forth an all-round show.

Probable XI

Lizelle Lee, Dane van Niekerk (C), Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Mignon du Preez, Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt, Trisha Chetty (WK), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.

Pakistan

Bismah Maroof, the Pakistan captain, has been ruled out of the tournament with a thumb fracture. Javeria Khan will be leading the team in her absence. Nahida Khan has been called up as Maroof’s replacement. Javeria is currently in their top run-scorer with 51 runs. In bowling, Nida Dar and Aiman Anwer have five and four wickets respectively. But the duo will need support from others.

Probable XI

Muneeba Ali, Javeria Khan (C), Nahida Khan/Ayesha Naseem, Nida Dar, Iram Javed, Omaima Sohail, Aliya Riaz, Sidra Nawaz (WK), Aiman Anwer, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal

Focus will be on

Dane van Niekerk (South Africa)

Dane van Niekerk has been pivotal to South Africa’s success thus far in the tournament. In the opening game, the opener churned out 46 runs in tough conditions. Moreover, she picked up two wickets and didn’t concede a whole lot of runs either. She would be disappointed that she threw his wicket away versus Thailand. Bearing in mind her quality, it’s a matter of time before she finds form.

Javeria Khan (Pakistan)

Javeria Khan is one of the stalwarts in the Pakistan women’s lineup with 1795 runs from 99 matches at 21/89 with eight half-centuries. She has had scores of 35 and 16 thus far in the two matches she has played. However, going ahead the task would be tougher for them. With the job of captaining a side, it remains to be seen if the 31-year-old manages to take her team to the semi-finals.

Stat Attack

4- Javeria Khan is set to become the fourth Pakistan women’s cricketer to play 100 T20Is. The other three are Bismah Maroof, Sana Mir and Nida Dar.

Broadcast details

TV – Star Sports

Live streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings – 09:30 IST; 15:00 local; 04:00 GMT

England vs West Indies, Match 16, Group B

Team Combination

England

England’s batting has been powered by Heather Knight and Nat Sciver. Knight, the England captain has 176 runs at a strike-rate of 138.58 with a century and half-century to her name. Sciver has 145 runs to give with a couple of wickets. In bowling, speedster Anya Shrubsole has seven wickets. She has gotten good support from Sophie Ecclestone, spinner Sarah Glenn and the other bothers.

Probable XI

Amy Ellen Jones (wk), Danielle Wyatt, Natalie Sciver, Heather Knight (C), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Winfield, Fran Wilson, Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn

West Indies

The West Indies batting has blown hot and cold thus far. Stafanie Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle have 69 and 68 runs respectively. Barring the duo, there isn’t much to talk about their batters. Even veteran Deandra Dottin hasn’t performed. The two openers- Hayley Mathews and Kirby have been disappointing. In bowling, Taylor has led the charge, picking up four wickets at an economy of 5.21.

Probable XI

Hayley Matthews, Lee-Ann Kirby, Stafanie Taylor (C), Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbell (WK), Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Afy Fletcher, Shamilia Connell, Anisa Mohammed, Shakera Selman.

Focus will be on

Heather Knight (England)

Heather Knight is currently the leading run-scorer of the T20 World Cup. She faltered against South Africa, but then decimated the Thailand bowling with an unbeaten 108 after her team lost a couple of early wickets. She followed it up with a 62 against Pakistan that turned instrumental in England’s second victory. With her in stupendous form, the bowlers will need to get rid of her at the earliest.

Deandra Dottin (West Indies)

Deandra Dottin is one of the most powerful strikers of the cricket leather with 2371 runs. The Barbados-born also has a couple of centuries to her name and is among the leading T20I run scorers. But with scores of 2 and 1, Dottin has flattered to deceive. She also hasn’t bowled in the tournament. If West Indies are to qualify, Dottin has to up her game going forward.

Stat Attack  

31- Runs Stafanie Taylor needs to complete 3,000 T20I runs. She will become the second batswoman after New Zealand’s Suzie Bates to accomplish the milestone.

Broadcast Details

TV: Star Sports

Live Streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings – 01:30 IST; 19:00 local; 08:00 GMT