Win Projections to be updated soon
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana is set to rejoin her team ahead of their crucial Women’s T20 World Cup match against New Zealand on Monday, bringing a much-needed boost to the side after her brief absence following the tragic death of her father. Sana, who left the team on Thursday, missed Pakistan’s nine-wicket loss to Australia on Friday. Her return adds significant depth to both the batting and bowling departments as Pakistan look to stay in contention for the tournament’s knockout stage.
Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semifinals hang by a thread. To advance, they need not only to beat New Zealand by a substantial margin but also to rely on favorable results from other matches. If India manage to defeat Australia on Sunday, Pakistan’s path to the semifinals will be sealed, rendering their clash with New Zealand a dead rubber.
Fatima Sana’s Influence
Since being named captain in August, Fatima Sana has become a cornerstone of Pakistan’s Women’s T20 World Cup campaign, both with the bat and ball. In her two appearances so far, she has been Pakistan’s second-highest wicket-taker with four scalps at an economy rate of just 4.82. With the bat, Sana holds Pakistan’s highest individual score at the tournament, a gritty 30, although she has been batting lower down the order at No. 7. Her contributions, particularly with the new ball, have been vital for the team in a campaign where consistency has been elusive.
In her absence on Friday, Pakistan sorely missed her leadership and all-round abilities. With senior seamer Diana Baig also sidelined due to a leg injury, Pakistan’s bowling unit struggled, and their batting collapsed spectacularly against Australia. Their total of 82 was the lowest of the tournament so far, with only Aliya Riaz managing to cross 20 runs.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles
The responsibility of leading Pakistan in Sana’s absence fell on the shoulders of opening batter Muneeba Ali. Facing tough questions after the match, Muneeba acknowledged the team’s inability to adapt to the conditions. “We accept as a batting group that this is the third match, and we have not adapted to the conditions really well. We will have to step up the batting for the next match,” she said in the post-match press conference.
Pakistan’s batting lineup has struggled to find its rhythm throughout the tournament, with no batter making a significant impact. The absence of experienced players like Sana and Baig has been keenly felt, leaving the team’s middle-order fragile under pressure. Pakistan’s poor showing with the bat has also raised questions about Sana’s lower batting position. Previously asked why she is not batting higher, Sana had maintained it was a “team decision.” Muneeba reiterated that decisions on team selection are made collaboratively between players and management.
How Harshit Rana’s ‘viral infection’ May Be A Blessing in Disguise for KKR’s IPL Strategy
New Zealand Clash: A Must-Win Scenario
As Pakistan prepare for their final group stage match, the stakes could not be higher. A victory over New Zealand is essential if Pakistan hopes to keep their knockout hopes alive. However, even a win may not be enough. If India defeat Australia on Sunday, Pakistan’s chances of progressing will vanish, irrespective of Monday’s result.
With Sana back in the squad and ready to lead from the front, Pakistan will be hoping for a turnaround in their fortunes. They will need their captain’s all-round prowess and leadership as they aim to overcome a strong New Zealand side and remain in contention for a spot in the semifinals.
Team Dynamics and Outlook
Pakistan’s young squad has shown glimpses of potential, but consistency has been their Achilles heel throughout the tournament. Muneeba Ali, leading the side in Sana’s absence, acknowledged the challenges but expressed confidence in the team’s abilities. “As a batting group, we will have to sit and think about how we can increase our scoring areas and what approach we should take in the next match,” she said, highlighting the need for adaptability in their must-win clash.
Fatima Sana’s return provides a psychological boost to a side that has been battling both on and off the field. Her leadership and experience will be invaluable as Pakistan enter their final group stage match with all to play for. With Sana back at the helm and the team in desperate need of a win, Pakistan’s performance against New Zealand will be crucial in determining their World Cup fate.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
