Sadia Iqbal Reflects on Key Lessons as Pakistan Prepares for Final World Cup Showdown with Sri Lanka
The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is nearing its conclusion. Pakistan’s team, led by Fatima Sana, will face Sri Lanka on October 24 in Colombo. This last match offers an opportunity for reflection and learning after a challenging campaign.
Sadia Iqbal’s Reflections Ahead of the Final Showdown
As Pakistan prepares for their final clash against Sri Lanka, spinner Sadia Iqbal highlights the lessons learned throughout the tournament. Despite being winless and at the bottom of the standings, Iqbal remains positive.
Tough Journey in the Tournament
- Pakistan has struggled throughout the World Cup, with only two points from six matches.
- They started their campaign with a defeat to Bangladesh on October 2.
- Further losses against India, Australia, and a significant defeat to South Africa compounded their challenges.
- One match against New Zealand and another against England were washed out due to rain.
Reflecting on the rainy conditions, Iqbal mentioned the difficulty of interrupted matches but emphasized that the team will give their best in the upcoming game. “We have learned a lot,” she stated confidently.
Bowling Performance
During the tournament, Sadia Iqbal has stood out with her bowling performance, taking eight wickets in five innings at an average of 22.37. Her economy rate is recorded at 4.47. Captain Fatima Sana has led the team’s bowling charts with ten wickets and an average of 21.30.
Resilience and Future Optimism
For Iqbal, this World Cup experience has been about more than just results. She believes in the growth of the young players in the team. “Playing against stronger opposition has provided valuable insights,” she noted.
Even with obstacles faced during the tournament, including adverse weather and challenging opponents, the cohesion within the team has been commendable. “We stay united and enjoy the game despite everything,” Iqbal added.
Final Thoughts on Women’s Cricket
Sadia Iqbal also emphasized the rapid development of women’s cricket. The increasing competitiveness and improvement in the game underline the need for teams to adapt and elevate their play.
Looking Ahead
As Pakistan’s final match in the World Cup approaches, the focus shifts from standings to pride. Iqbal and her teammates hope to conclude their campaign with a strong performance. This match, against Sri Lanka, offers both a chance for redemption and an opportunity to apply the lessons learned throughout the tournament.
