ANALYSIS
Follow UsPakistan’s association with the Women’s ODI World Cup does not exactly inspire happy memories. Since their first in 1997, they have won just two of the 23 matches in the showpiece tournament. The last World Cup in England was an unmitigated disaster as they ended their campaign at the bottom of the table and were the only team to not win a single game.
It included chastising defeats to England, India, Australia and New Zealand, while they shot themselves in the foot in chase of 222, as they lost to Sri Lanka by 15 runs in their final match.
Since then, they have played 34 matches and managed just 11 wins and lost 21. In build up to the 2022 World Cup, they were clean-sweeped at home by West Indies. They managed to win their last match against Zimbabwe after a loss to Bangladesh in the World Cup Qualifier tournament. They managed to gain qualification on the basis of their world ranking after the tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19 scare.
Strengths
The lopsided strength in their batting is a double-edge sword and Pakistan can turn it into their advantage. Besides the quartet of Nahida, Dar, Javeria Khan and skipper Bismah Maroof, the world no.8 team has Aliya Riaz in the middle-order who has form on her side. She has amassed 382 runs at an average of 47.75 last year and has the ability to steady the ship in case of an early collapse.
Omaima Sohail, despite her weaknesses against the moving ball, had a good 2021 scoring a total of 245 runs in the back-to-back ODI series against West Indies. The 24-year old will be a key figure to hold fort at No. 3.
However, Pakistan’s biggest strength is their bowling which they have managed quite well despite minimum resources. Fatima Sana has been key for them as she claimed a total of 20 wickets from 13 ODIs in 2021 at an average of 24.9. The medium pacer’s 5-39 and 4-30 also set up the two victories in the West Indies. While she can go for runs at times, on her day, Sana can be a true match-winner. Pacer Diana Baig, is likely to shoulder the responsibility with the new ball alongside returning Aiman Anwer.
Left-arm spinner Anam Amin has been consistent with her performances with 15 wickets from nine matches last year. Amin is also quite effective in leading the spin attack as she has bowled with an economy of 2.5 in the powerplay during this period.
Besides Amin, Pakistan also have other spin options in the form of Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail and Dar, who have been among wickets recently.
Weakness
After the defeat to Sri Lanka, Pakistan skipper Sana Mir had rued the poor show with the bat by her team.
“We are very disappointed. But in life, these things happen but you have to bounce back. We will learn from the tournament and the younger players will come back stronger,” she said.
Since that time, Pakistan have not fared better in their batting department. They have played 34 ODIs in the four years and have the worse balls/wicket ratio among teams that have played 20 matches or more. They recorded scores less than 150 on nine occasions and were skittled out under 100 three times during this period.
Though they have faced higher ranked teams in the form of West Indies, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, Pakistan batters have struggled in sub-continental conditions. The team led by Javeria pulled back two wins in the Caribbean, but it did not help them in winning the series as the Windies had wrapped it up by winning the first three ODIs.
They had a great opportunity to assess their combinations by playing England on home turf in October, but the England and Wales Board’s decision to cancel the tour, robbed them off that chance.
Their batting is also heavily dependent on their top-order. Opener Nahida Khan, who has not played since January 2021, is the team’s second highest run scorer since the last World Cup with 671 runs from 23 innings..
Nida Dar and Javeria have done bulk of their scoring during this period and played vital knocks in the games they have come close to winning.
Opportunities
“Overall results have been below par and there is a strong realisation in the camp that the last year does not justify the collective potential and talent of this side,” Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof said ahead of the World Cup.
The team has a good variety of spin-bowling options, including allrounders Sohail, Dar and Maroof herself, which can prove to be huge roadblock for oppositions struggling with turn and bounce. With further assistance from the pacers, Pakistan can be a dangerous side.
Threats
Despite putting on brave fights in ODI series in build up to the tournament, Pakistan have often lacked the confidence to get over the line. Their young batting line-up has often buckled under the pressure while chasing.
Lack of playing opportunities against higher-ranked teams, who have brought in new players and tweaked their strategies, can add to Pakistan’s problems. Besides the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia, Pakistan have spent majority of the last two years playing in sub-continental conditions which will pose a challenge while playing in New Zealand.
Squad
Bismah Maroof (captain), Nida Dar, Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz
Fixtures
March 6 vs India
March 8 vs Australia
March 11 vs South Africa
March 14 vs Bangladesh
March 21 vs West Indies
March 24 vs England
March 26 vs New Zealand
