WT20WC 2024 Day 12 Preview: Group A to be finalised as New Zealand take on Pakistan
The two semi-finalists from Group A will be decided at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Monday 14 October following the final match between New Zealand and Pakistan.
The White Ferns have been one of the surprise packets at the T20 World Cup and can claim a spot in the knockout stage with a victory over a Pakistan side who have registered just one win at the tournament thus far.
Pakistan v New Zealand
Pakistan v New Zealand, Monday 14 October (18:00 local), Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Things are tight in Group A, with both New Zealand and Pakistan still mathematically in contention of joining Australia in the knockout stages.
While Australia clinched their place in the semis with a win over India on Sunday, just who will join them in the final four still remains unclear.
A New Zealand win in this clash will catapult them past India and into the semis, while Pakistan could also still sneak in with a big margin of victory over the Kiwis.
New Zealand will rely on their strong top-order, with opener Georgia Plimmer finding form against Sri Lanka last start with a timely half-century as the likes of skipper Sophie Devine and star all-rounder Melie Kerr continue to contribute with bat and ball.
Pakistan will likely welcome back skipper Fatima Sana for this match after she missed their most recent encounter against Australia, but there is no place for experienced quick Diana Baig who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
The Pakistan top order will need to find some runs in this clash as New Zealand are high on confidence and will prove hard to beat.
What They Said
Pakistan batter Muneeba Ali: "As a batting group, we will have to sit and think how we can increase our scoring areas and what approach we should take in the next match. Because obviously the pool is still open and we have a chance to win a good match with a good margin."
New Zealand bowler Leigh Kasperek: "First and foremost we were looking for the win today so we're really pleased to get that obviously Sri Lanka are really good side so I think the batters did really good to chase what was quite a tricky total. So yeah, I think we can be really pleased with today."
The Squads
Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Najiha Alvi , Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu
All matches at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will be held in the two host cities of Dubai and Sharjah.
Fans can purchase tickets online or directly at the stadiums, for more information on where to buy click here.
