As the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup progresses, England aims to continue its winning streak against Pakistan, a team currently struggling in the tournament. England has won all three of its matches so far, demonstrating impressive form, while Pakistan has only three World Cup victories in total and has faced three consecutive losses in this edition.
Pakistan Struggles at the World Cup
Pakistan’s batting has been a significant concern. The team has posted low scores of 129, 159, and 114 in their matches. Only Sidra Amin has managed to score a half-century, achieving this milestone twice. While Pakistan benefits from playing all their matches at the same venue in Colombo, they have not capitalized on this advantage.
Current World Cup Scenarios
- England: Undefeated in three matches.
- Pakistan: On a three-match losing streak.
As Pakistan looks to salvage its standing in the tournament, England focuses on securing a semi-final spot. Applying consistent pressure, England’s bowlers, including the world’s top ODI bowler, Sophie Ecclestone, have been instrumental in limiting opponent scores. In their previous match against Sri Lanka, Ecclestone delivered a remarkable bowling performance.
Key Players to Watch
Players like Muneeba Ali and Nat Sciver-Brunt will be pivotal in the upcoming match. Muneeba entered the World Cup with promising form, having achieved scores of 76 and 44 in pre-tournament series. However, she has yet to replicate that success during the tournament.
Conversely, Nat Sciver-Brunt recently scored her fifth World Cup century and is in excellent form, attracting attention from opponents. Sciver-Brunt’s ability to perform under pressure could play a crucial role against Pakistan.
Probable Team Lineups
Both teams may maintain their current lineups for the upcoming match:
Pakistan (Probable XI)
- Sadaf Shamas
- Muneeba Ali
- Sidra Amin
- Sidra Nawaz (wk)
- Natalia Pervaiz
- Eyman Fatima
- Fatima Sana (capt)
- Rameen Shamim/Syeda Aroob Shah
- Diana Baig
- Nashra Sandhu
- Sadia Iqbal
England (Probable XI)
- Tammy Beaumont
- Amy Jones (wk)
- Heather Knight
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt)
- Sophia Dunkley
- Emma Lamb
- Alice Capsey
- Charlie Dean
- Sophie Ecclestone
- Linsey Smith
- Lauren Bell
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The conditions in Colombo have remained stable, though occasional rain may impact play. The pitch is expected to assist spinners, adding an additional layer of challenge for Pakistan’s struggling batting lineup.
With England’s strong performance and Pakistan’s need for improvement, the upcoming match holds significant implications for both teams in their quests for World Cup success.
