Women’s Cricket World Cup: New Zealand Chooses to Bowl First After Winning Toss Against Pakistan
In a highly anticipated clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the New Zealand Women’s cricket team won the toss and chose to bowl first against the Pakistan Women’s team. This match marks the 19th encounter of the Women’s World Cup 2025.
Current Standings and Match Context
- New Zealand has secured one victory and faced two defeats in their tournament campaign.
- Their last match against Sri Lanka was abandoned without a result.
- Meanwhile, Pakistan started their World Cup journey with three consecutive losses before the latest match against England was washed out.
Team Strategies and Player Insights
Pakistan’s captain, Fatima Sana, expressed her expectations for the match. She stated, “Anything above 200 is a good target.” Sana also focused on maintaining belief in her team’s capabilities after a series of disappointing results.
New Zealand’s skipper, Sophie Devine, highlighted her confidence in the opening batsmen, Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer. She emphasized the importance of execution and the need to focus on each game rather than future challenges.
Starting Lineups
| Pakistan Women (Playing XI) | New Zealand Women (Playing XI) |
|---|---|
| Muneeba Ali | Suzie Bates |
| Omaima Sohail | Georgia Plimmer |
| Sidra Amin | Amelia Kerr |
| Aliya Riaz | Sophie Devine (c) |
| Natalia Pervaiz | Brooke Halliday |
| Fatima Sana (c) | Maddy Green |
| Sidra Nawaz (w) | Isabella Gaze (w) |
| Rameen Shamim | Jess Kerr |
| Diana Baig | Rosemary Mair |
| Nashra Sandhu | Lea Tahuhu |
| Sadia Iqbal | Eden Carson |
As the match unfolds, both teams aim to improve their standings. New Zealand will look to capitalize on their bowling first, potentially gaining insights into the target set by Pakistan. With seasoned players in both lineups, fans anticipate an exciting contest in the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
