Pakistan and Bangladesh will open their campaigns at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on Thursday, with both sides hoping to make gradual progress in the match. Often seen as the less fancied teams in the line-up, the South Asian rivals are keen to improve upon their earlier World Cup outings.
Pakistan, under the leadership of Fatima Sana, will play all their fixtures in Colombo, including the high-profile match against India on Sunday. Both Pakistan and Bangladesh entered the main event after progressing through the qualifiers, where Pakistan finished ahead of their neighbours. Skipper Sana stated that playing every match at the same venue would assist her team in adapting quickly. ‘’Our main aim is to make the semifinals, and the conditions, and the conditions here are quite similar to Pakistan,’’ she mentioned as per a PTI report.
Pakistan will be without experienced names like Nida Dar and Bishmah Maroof, but Sana underlined that the team’s mix of seasoned players and youngsters provides depth. Senior players like Diana Baig, Nashra Sundhu, Sidra Amin, and Aliya Riaz will bring stability, whereas Shawaal Zulifqar, Eyman Fatima, and Natalia Parvaiz will add fresh energy to the team.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana said that her team has matured since its World Cup debut in 2022. ‘’We were inexperienced then, but now we know how to win games in tournament conditions,’’ she stated. Sultana further added that the team is keen to inspire fans back home, where interest in women’s cricket is growing.
Promising pacer Nishita Akter Nishi, just 17 years old, and all-rounder Sumaiya Akter are among the players to watch from the Bangladesh squad.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh Pitch report
The R Premadasa Stadium offers a balanced surface, which is flat in nature but likely to deteriorate as the match progresses. The surface will favour spinners. As per a report by Crictoday, the black soil wicket provides continuous bounce in the early phase but will become slower and grippier in the middle overs.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh Weather report
According to Accuweather data, conditions around Colombo for today are predicted to be humid with intermittent rain chances. Cloudy weather and occasional cloud cover, especially during the morning hours, and warm weather with high humidity throughout the day.
The match begins at 3 pm local time, marking the commencement of a crucial campaign for both teams.
Predicted 11 for Pakistan vs Bangladesh
Pakistan: Fatima Sana (C), Muneeba Ali (VC), Omaina Sohail, Eyman Fatima, Syeda Nawaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, and Syeeda Aroob Shah, Rameen Shamin.
Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana (C) Shorna Akter, Sharmin Akhter, Sobhana Mostary, Fargana Hoque, Fahima Kahtun, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Sumaiya Akter, Nahida Akter, and Marufa Akter.