Kolkata: The stage is set up beautifully for the last round of the Super Six fixtures as Pakistan and Sri Lanka look well placed to qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup ahead of their matches against India and Bangladesh respectively.
The points table is leaded by India, who have got eight points in their kitty and have already qualified for the premier tournament of women’s cricket. Just below them are South Africa who too have qualified having acquired six points. Following them are Pakistan and Sri Lanka who are on four points each and is quite close to qualifying for the World cup.
However, it would take a herculean effort on the part of Bangladesh to make it to the main stage as they only have two points to their name. Such a scenario leaves them with a chance to qualify only if they win their last match by a huge margin. Pakistan are well set to qualify and even if they lose their match against arch-rivals India, as they would still go through courtesy of a superior net run rate. However, Bangladesh would have to outplay Sri Lanka by a margin of 85 runs to qualify ahead of the island nation. Also, if chasing in the match against Sri Lanka, they should reach the target pretty quickly, depending on the runs scored by the Lankans. For instance, if Sri Lanka score 200 in the first innings, then Bangladesh should get these runs in no less than 27.1 overs, which would enable them to overtake Sri Lanka and make it to the main competition.
Ireland is the only team that is totally out of the tournament as they, by no means would progress any further due to the fact that they have no points at all in the Super Six stage which also includes points from wins against other qualifiers from a side’s group in the preliminary stages of the tournament. Reigning World champions Australia, England, New Zealand and the West Indies have already qualified for the main tournament scheduled to be held in England, by making it to the top four of the ICC Women’s Championship.
Pakistan’s thumping win over Ireland by a 86-run margin does not only increase their run rate, but does a world of good to their confidence ahead of their match against arch-rivals India.
Pakistan’s captain Sana Mir said, “Our run-rate gives us a breather for our qualification campaign. We can go with confidence in the match against India, which has been doing well – their bowlers, batters, everyone is contributing. It is going to take our ‘A’ game to pull off an upset tomorrow. For now, we just want to do our basics right and play good, disciplined cricket.” She further added, “Our batters have been doing quite well, our top three batters are the leading run-scorers in the tournament, so I’m pretty happy.” Hopefully, we can do it one more day.”
Javeria Khan, who bats at number three for Pakistan leads the batting charts with 297 runs to her name, which also includes runs scored against sides without an ODI status. Two other Pakistani batswomen, namely the openers- Nahida Khan and Ayesha Zafar are second and sixth on the list respectively, with 219 and 180 runs to their names.
Mithali Raj, the Indian skipper too has displayed a fine form with the bat as she has already mustered 207 runs so far. Despite India tasting victories in all their previous matches, the captain isn’t impressed as her side hasn’t dominated any opposition the way she had wanted it to. She said, “If we are not able to dominate at this level then playing against Australia and England (in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017) is not going to be easy. That’s a World Cup, not a series. It is about that one match in the league and you have to be at your best to beat them. In terms of that we have a long way to go.”
South Africa on the other hand would look forward to winning it’s last match against Ireland and seal a berth in the final, of which India is already a part.
Dane Van Niekerk, the Proteas skipper said, “Qualifying for the ICC Women’s World Cup
2017 was the main goal, now the goal is to enter the final. But we are worried about our fielding. You can’t win games taking 13-14 wickets. We create chances but don’t take them so it means taking those many more wickets. That is an area of concern.”
The Sri Lankans, despite being placed comfortably for a place in the World cup are not taking things lightly and wants to win its last match.
Inoka Ranaweera, the Lankan captain said, “We are looking forward to win the match tomorrow. Qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 is huge and we want to give our best tomorrow. Our aim is to learn from our mistakes in the tournament and play to the best of our ability.”
(With inputs from an ICC media release)