Daunting South Africa challenge awaits as Pakistan aim to avoid third loss

MATCH CENTRE | STANDINGS

• Match 9: Pakistan Women v South Africa Women
• Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
• Friday 11 March, 14:00 Local Time

Pakistan’s World Cup campaign got off to a tricky start with back-to-back losses to India and Australia, leaving them at the bottom of the tournament standings.

And a third loss against South Africa at the Bay Oval would effectively end the team’s chances of reaching the Women’s World Cup semi-finals for the first time

Getting a win on the board will be no easy task, however, with Friday’s opponents ranked second in the world and among the teams expected to finish in the top four of the Group Stage.

The Proteas have had a long wait for their second game after seeing off Bangladesh in the tournament’s second match a week ago.

And they will be hoping for a more rounded performance after being rolled out for 207 by the Tigers and forced to rely on the excellence of their bowling attack, and Ayabonga Khaka in particular, to defend that meagre total.

Just like their male counterparts, South Africa’s women have failed to punch their weight at World Cups, failing to make a final in this format. But this could be the year for the nation to end their trophy drought.

"There has been a lot of pressure in the past and we didn't always handle it well,” captain Sune Luus said prior to the tournament. “I feel like we have been through three big semi-finals now and I don't think our hearts can take another close one.

“If we get to the semi-finals stage again we are going to make sure we push through even if it's the last thing we do, so we are going to give our best to make it through to that final."

Win against Pakistan on Friday and South Africa will be well on the way to reaching that fourth semi. From there it’s up to the current generation to achieve what their predecessors have never been able to do.

THE TEAMS

Pakistan Squad: 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 Sundhu, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz

South Africa Squad: Suné Luus (c), Chloé Tryon (vc), Ayabonga Khaka, Lara Goodall, Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Maria Klaas, Mignon du Preez, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Tazmin Brits, Trisha Chetty, Tumi Sekhukhune. Travelling reserves: Andrie Steyn, Nadine de Klerk, Raisibe Ntozakhe

CWC22 DREAM11 FANTASY WATCH

Captaincy Pick – Bismah Maroof

Pakistan’s captain has provided one of the most striking images of the tournament so far, and her performances on the pitch have been noteworthy too. Her 78 against Australia’s high-quality bowling showed her class, and she’ll be looking to double up against a South Africa’s dangerous attack.

Must have – Ayabonga Khaka

One of the less-heralded members of South Africa’s excellent bowling unit, Khaka’s four-wicket haul against Bangladesh was a reminder that the 29-year-old is among the world’s best bowlers. In fact, the right-arm quick is now up to sixth in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings, one spot below her compatriot Shabnim Ismail.

KEY PLAYERS

Nashra Sundhu: The slow left-armer is Pakistan's most reliable performer with the ball and her impressive average of just over 28 at ODI level is testimony to this. Sundhu is sure to be used in the middle overs of an innings to try and quell the run rate of opposition teams.

Marizanne Kapp: Rated as the third-best allrounder on the ICC Women's ODI rankings, Kapp is a player to keep a close eye on in New Zealand. The 32-year-old recently played a pivotal role in helping the Perth Scorchers claim the WBBL title and is just as capable in 50-over cricket. Kapp can also be quite effective with the bat, with her middle-order hitting a strength for the South African side.

WHAT THEY SAID

David Hemp, Pakistan head coach on staying in Tauranga for the first three games: "It's actually been really helpful for us as a group, when you're not chopping and changing the hotels or flying anywhere, so it's been to be based here.

"The training facilities have been great. We've been really pleased to be situated in this one location for this part of the trip."

Chloe Tryon, South African vice-captain on the gap between matches: "We're making sure when we do our work we do it at 200% and when we're off the field we switch off a little bit."

"We have to make sure and manage ourselves really well but the girls seem to be doing that really well which is nice to see. They know their bodies and what they can do and cannot do. It's nice to see that everyone has taken a break as well but when it comes to do training, they're doing 200%."

THE VENUE

This game is one of seven matches scheduled to be held at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui over the course of the tournament.

The 10,000-seater stadium has hosted international fixtures since 2014, nine years after it was officially opened in Blake Park.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

All eight teams at the tournament will play each other across seven rounds in a league format.

The top four teams in the standings after the conclusion of the Group Stage will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be held in the final week of March.

LATER FIXTURES

Pakistan’s tournament fixtures:

14 March v Bangladesh
21 March v West Indies
24 March v England
26 March v New Zealand

South Africa’s tournament fixtures:

14 March v England
17 March v New Zealand
22 March v Australia
24 March v West Indies
27 March v India