The ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2021 will kick start from November 21. A total of nine teams will feature in the competition. These teams are divided into two groups, namely Group A and Group B. The first match will be played between the two Group B teams, namely Bangladesh and Pakistan at Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare.
While Bangladesh are coming fresh from an away ODI series win against Zimbabwe, Pakistan will go into the competition on the back of a home ODI series defeat to West Indies.
Squads
Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana (c), Murshida Khatun, Nuzhat Tasnia, Fargana Hoque, Rumana Ahmed, Ritu Moni, Nahida Akter, Salma Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Lata Mondal, Fahima Khatun, Sharmin Akhter, Sobhana Mostary, Khadija Tul Kubra, Shanjida Akter, Fariha Trisna
Pakistan: Javeria Khan (c), Muneeba Ali, Sidra Ameen, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Nida Dar, Kainat Imtiaz, Sadia Iqbal, Iram Javed, Sidra Nawaz, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Ayesha Zafar
Players to watch out for
Nahida Akter:
The left arm spinner was the leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded away series that Bangladesh played against Zimbabwe. She scalped 11 wickets in three ODIs at an average of 4.82 and economy of just over two runs per over. The wily spinner bowled disciplined lines and lengths to keep the batters at bay.
Murshida Khatun:
The left hand batter top scored in the Zimbabwe series as she muscled 97 runs in three ODIs at an average of 97. She struck 14 boundaries in the series, which was the most by any batter. She also scored a half-century in the process and had the best score of 51. The opening bat has been a solid player at the top of the order for Bangladesh.
Anam Amin:
The left-arm spinner from Pakistan was the highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded home series against West Indies. She claimed nine wickets in three ODIs at an average of 11.22 and an economy of just over three runs per over. She also accounted for one five-wicket haul. She can bowl with the new ball too.
Muneeba Ali:
The left hand opening bat of Pakistan was the top run scorer against West Indies in the three match ODI series. She mustered 103 runs in three matches at an average of 34.33. She also registered one half century and had the best score of 58.
Weather
The weather is expected to be partly sunny in the morning (local) and cloudy with a thunderstorm in some parts of the area in the afternoon (local). The average temperature will be around 25 degrees Celsius. There is a 15% chance of precipitation in the morning and 55% chance of precipitation in the afternoon. There will be a wind blowing from the northeast.
Pitch
This will be the first match of the tournament at this venue. Prior to this, five ODIs have been played here. Teams batting first have won thrice, while teams batting second have won twice. The highest total score is 357 and the lowest is 91. Seamers and spinners have been more or less similarly effective, with three out of the top five wicket-takers seamers and two being spinners. A high-scoring game can be on the cards.
Fantasy playing XI
Muneeba Ali, Fargana Hoque, Javeria Khan, Murshida Khatun, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Rumana Ahmed, Anam Amin, Jahanara Alam, Nahida Akter
Match details
Date: November 21
Time: 1pm IST
Venue: Old Hararians Sports Club, Harare
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.
