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Pakistan vs England, ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, Match 5 preview: Both teams desperate to get off the mark

Hosts and title contenders, England women, would be eager to get their campaign on track versus unpredictable Pakistan.

© Getty Images
© Getty Images

The fifth match of ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup is slated to be a crucial clash between Pakistan women and hosts, England women. Now, it is only the fourth day of the marquee event. Then one may wonder as to how is it being labelled as a ‘crucial’ tie? Well, both sides are coming off a defeat in their tournament-opener, and will certainly want to get off the mark quickly in such a high-voltage competition. Another defeat would jolt a side’s campaign and Pakistan and England will be wary of it. Pakistan were involved in a crunch encounter, where they never gave up, whereas England will want to brush aside their flaws against India women and surge forward.

The Pakistan camp do not boast of much-experience in World Cups. Their recent form has also been erratic. They have, till date, notched up only two victories in the tournament history and will have to remain on their toes to register their third triumph. On the other hand, England have had a great run since late 2016, but faltered in their opener against Indian eves. To live up to their pre-tournament hype, they will be itching to get going.

Key players:

There are few players in every camp who are capable of turning the tide on their own. Both sides require their respective trump cards to deliver and assist in earning two points. Pakistan rely on their skipper Sana Mir, Javeria Khan, Nahida Khan and Sadia Yousuf largely. They do not have depth in their batting line-up, but possess some quality players in the top. Ayesha Zafar missed out in the previous encounter, and will like to deliver the goods this time around.

From England’s perspective, they have a better batting line-up to challenge Pakistan. Much like the recent men’s clash between Pakistan and England (in ICC Champions Trophy 2017 semi-final), this will also be a battle between the subcontinental side’s bowling versus hosts’ batting. Sarah Taylor and Heather Knight departed after starts versus India. They will like to be around for a longer period and demolish the opposition. Fran Wilson’s (the top-scorer versus India) addition to the middle order and Katherine Brunt lend more options with the willow.

Boils down to …?

The only worry hovering England’s camp will their ordinary bowling and sloppy fielding against Mithali Raj’s side. They picked up only three wickets in the tournament-opener and failed to inject wicket-taking deliveries in the first 30 overs. If Pakistan women can put up another total above 220, they have a bowling to pose serious threat. However, England are a better side and are unlikely to lose the plot like South African girls did. England will be confident that their bowlers had an off day on Saturday, and will make amends from hereon.

Squads:

England: Heather Knight(c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sarah Taylor (wk), Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Beth Langston, Laura Marsh, Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt

Pakistan: Sana Mir (c), Sidra Nawaz (wk), Ayesha Zafar, Bibi Nahida, Marina Iqbal, Bismah Maroof, Javeria Khan, Syeda Nain Fatima Abidi, Kainat Imtiaz, Asmavia Iqbal, Diana Baig, Waheeda Akhtar, Nashra Sandhu, Ghulam Fatima, Sadia Yousuf

Time: 10:30 local | 09:30 GMT | 15.00 IST

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