Women’s World Cup 2022- Pakistan Team Preview
Pakistan Team Preview
A team one can never rule out. Pakistan might not have played international games in recent times, but they are capable of springing surprises, thanks to the talented bunch. Despite a par performance in the World Cup qualifiers, they got into the tournament in terms of rankings after the Qualifiers was cancelled due to COVID19.
Previous World Cup Results
Pakistan doesn’t really enjoy a good result in the World Cup where they have lost 21 out of 23 matches since their first appearance in 1997. However, they do have young talents who can change things for them this time around.
Current Form
They enter the tournament after losing all their bilateral series last year. They didn’t really play much this year, but most of the players did feature in local tournaments and had decent records to their name. Once again, it is certainly not going to be enough for them considering how other teams had real match practice.
Squad
Bismah Maroof is back after a couple of years, after a maternity break. She will be leading the team once again, and this is a big boost for Pakistan. Along with Javeria Khan, Bismah Maroof brings in that experience that the team had lacked last year.
However, there is this big hole in the top order. Something, the team faced in the last year as none of the top five stood up for the team consistently, including Javeria Khan. Their most runs came from Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz.
In the bowling department, Fatima Sana has been the top performer with others chipping in with a wicket or two when it was needed. Their bowling will be their strength going into this tournament.
Bismah Maroof (c), Nida Dar (vc), 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 (wk)
Travelling reserves: Iram Javed, Najiha Alvi and Tuba Hassan
What happened in the Warm-ups?
Pakistan won their both warm-up matches.
Pakistan vs White Ferns
Pakistan proved too good for the White Ferns who might not have expected this result, especially, after stunning India with a 4-1 win in the ODIs. Batting first, New Zealand lost both their openers early but experienced duo- Maddy Green and Amy Satterthwaite helped the team to recover as they made 229. In return, Pakistan’s middle-order helped the team to reach the total with ease.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh
This match was a thrilling contest, probably, one of the best in the Warm-ups. Pakistan and Bangladesh had to battle it out in the final over which went Pakistan’s way. In the rain-hit match, Pakistan made 199/7. with Javeria Khan, Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz chipping in for cameos. Bangladesh came closer when Fargana Hoque (71) and Rumana Ahmed (30) added an excellent partnership in the middle but the Pakistan bowlers came back, kept it tight and picked up wickets. In the end, Bangladesh fell short of seven runs.
Who are the star players
Undoubtedly Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana. Riaz with the bat and Sana with the ball. The best part about Riaz’s batting is that she can adapt accordingly. She has 16 sixes in her ODI career which is the most among Pakistan’s current cricketers.
Fatima Sana has been their best bowler in recent times. She has picked up 20 wickets since the start of 2021 which is five wickets more than 2nd placed Anam Amin.
Player to watch out for
Undoubtedly, Bismah Maroof. While Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana are more of a mandatory now, Bismah Maroof’s return could impact the team, of course, in a good way. The skipper found some runs in the last warm-up match and will be keen to add more to that total and will be keen to get back to scoring ways.
Definite Pick in Fantasy Team
Nida Dar. The all-rounder is among wickets and also is the 2nd leading run-scorer for Pakistan since 2021 in this format. She will hold the key in the middle order once again.
