Buoyed by the thrilling win over arch-foes India, the Pakistan women’s cricket team would look to score a big victory over Bangladesh and stay in the hunt for a historic semifinal berth in the ICC World Twenty20, in New Delhi on Thursday.
The two-run win via Duckworth/Lewis method over India was just the booster shot that Pakistan needed and they would look to ensure a comfortable win over the Bangla women, who are already out of contention after losing all their three matches so far.
Pakistan has never made the knockout stage of the ICC Women’s World T20, finishing seventh out of 10 teams in the last edition, with wins over Ireland and Sri Lanka during the competition.
Since 2014, though, Pakistan managed important T20 series wins against a strong South Africa as well as Bangladesh.
While Pakistan’s bowling unit has given a good account of itself so far, the batters will have to put up an improved performance.
They are already missing all-rounder Javeria Khan, who was ruled out of the tournament before the match against India with a broken jaw, an injury caused by a bouncer during their World T20 opener against the West Indies.
In her absence, the onus would be on the likes of Sidra Ameen, Bismah Maroof and Sana Mir, the captain, to add more punch to the team’s batting in the remaining games.
Pakistan lost to West Indies by four runs in their first game in Chennai, but the spinners shook up the opposition. Led by the left-arm spin twins of Anam Amin and Sadia Yousuf.
For Bangladesh, it has been a depressing story so far.
Jahanara Alam’s girls cruised through the draw in the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier in Thailand last year to make it to the final of the tournament and ensure qualification for India.
However, they have failed to put up a single fighting performance so far in the main event.
Rumana Ahmed, the spin-bowling all-rounder who was Player of the Tournament at the qualifier, has not clicked in any of the matches so far.
The side would expect other key players such as Sharmin Akhter, Ayasha Rahman and Fargana Hoque to strike with the bat to ensure that Bangladesh bow out on a positive note.
In the other match to be played at this venue tomorrow, Australia women will take on Sri Lanka.
