Published: Feb 16, 2017, 11:42 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 16, 2017, 11:42 AM (IST)
The ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers started with the all-important Super Six round on Wednesday. The first tie between tournament favourites India Eves and South Africa Women saw the former win by 49 runs. The hosts Sri Lanka clashed with Sana Mir’s Pakistan and rattled them by 5 wickets. The last match on February 15 was between Ireland Women and Bangladesh with the latter winning comfortably by 7 wickets. India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will like to maintain their momentum going forward as the tournament heads to the business end. On the other hand, South Africa, Ireland and Pakistan would need to step up before they find themselves heading back home.
With a plenty to play for, Sri Lanka meet South Africa in a quest to maintain winning form. Ireland lock horns with Pakistan wherein both sides will be eager to get off the mark in Super Six round. Sri Lanka played their A game in their opening tie of Super Six round versus Pakistan. Chamari Polgampola and Inoka Ranaweera shone with the ball to restrict Pakistan for 212 for 7. Chasing 213, openers led the way but it was Eshani Lokusuriyage’s 65 which saw her side home. The hosts will take a lot from this performance but will be wary of the threat posed in form of South Africa. The Proteas could not chase a paltry score of 206 against Indian Eves and will be itching to climb up the ladder in the points table. ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017: Points table
From being table-toppers in the opening round to lying at the bottom in Super Six, they will be eager to turn the tables. The hosts will also feel the need to counter the likes of Lizelle Lee, Trisha Chetty, Laura Wolvaardt and Shabnim Ismail to notch up their second consecutive win.
Pakistan will play Ireland Women in the sixth match of Super Six. After a hard-fought match versus Sri Lanka, Pakistan Women will have to regroup to register their first win of the second round. They will be favourites against Ireland Women who have been inconsistent as a unit. Ireland fell flat against Bangladesh’s bowling to fold for 144. Their bowling also lacked steam and will have a humongous task to fire in all departments.
Ireland have lost against stronger outfits like India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh which automatically puts Pakistan as firm favourites. Nonetheless, if complacency creeps in the Asian side then there might be an upset at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground, Colombo.
To sum up Friday’s clashes, India Eves meet Bangladesh Women in Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo, marking as the fifth game of the round. It will be a daunting task for Bangladesh to stop a rampant Indian side.
Squads (Sri Lanka vs South Africa)
Sri Lanka: Inoka Ranaweera (c), Chamari Atapattu, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Nipuni Hansika, Eshani Lokusuriyage, Sugandika Kumari, Harshitha Madavi, Dilani Manodara, Hasini Perera, Udeshika Prabodhani, Chamari Polgampola, Malsha Shehani, Prasadani Weerakkody, Sripali Weerakkody (wk)
South Africa: Dane van Niekerk (c), Trisha Chetty (wk), Moseline Daniels, Mignon du Preez, Yolani Fourie, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Lizelle Lee, Marcia Letsoalo, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt
Time: 10: 00 AM IST
Squads (Pakistan vs Ireland)
Pakistan: Sana Mir (c), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Bismah Maroof, Ghulam Fatima, Javeria Khan, Nahida Khan, Maham Tariq, Nashra Sandhu, Sidra Ameen, Rabiya Shah (wk), Nain Abidi, Muneeba Ali
Ireland: Laura Delany(c), Kim Garth, Cecelia Joyce, Isobel Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Meg Kendal, Amy Kenealy, Gaby Lewis, Robyn Lewis, Louise McCarthy, Ciara Metcalfe, Lucy O’Reilly, Clare Shillington, Mary Waldron (wk)
Time: 10:00 AM IST
