Pakistan and Asia champions Sri Lanka will face off in match 2 of the 2024 Women’s Twenty20 (T20) World Cup on the opening day, October 3, 2024. The game will be played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, and the live action commences at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Both teams played warm up games against Bangladesh and Scotland in the lead-up to the tournament. While Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in both matches, Sri Lanka maintained their momentum with convincing wins.
Squads:
Pakistan –
Fatima Sana (C), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan
Sri Lanka –
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Madhavi, Nilakshika de Silva, Inoka Ranaweera, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Sachini Nisansala, Vishmi Gunaratne, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana
Players to watch out:
Muneeba Ali –
The 27-year-old keeper-batter has accumulated 1,261 runs from 71 T20I innings, at an average of 19.40, and registered two fifties and a century, with the highest being 102. Muneeba has been in notable form of late, registering consecutive scores of 46*, 37*, and 37 in the Asia Cup, and 45 and 33 in the home series against South Africa. In the World Cup warm-up games, she managed starts of 27 and 12, and hopefully builds on them.
Sadia Iqbal –
The 29-year-old left-arm spinner has struck 53 wickets from 43 T20Is, including the best of 4/16, averaging 18.00 and maintaining an economy rate of 5.66. Sadia has emerged as Pakistan’s prime spinner of late, striking 8 wickets from 4 innings in the Asia Cup and 6 from 3 outings against South Africa. Though she managed only two wickets from as many warm-up matches, she can be counted on to lead the tally.
Chamari Athapaththu –
The 34-year-old all-rounder has racked up 3,326 runs from 137 T20I outings, at a strike rate of 110.90, and claimed 56 wickets from 81 innings, at an economy rate of 6.64, registering bests of 119* and 4/29. Chamari has averaged a career-best 48.21 this year, racking up 675 runs from 17 games, while also claiming 16 wickets. Though she had quiet outings in the warm-up games, she can be relied upon for the goods.
Inoka Ranaweera –
The 38-year-old left-arm off-spinner has secured 91 wickets from 82 T20I innings, producing the best of 4/7 and maintaining an economy rate of 5.86. Inoka returns to the T20I side for the first time since the T20 World Cup Qualifier in the UAE, where she claimed 3 wickets in 2 games, and her economical and effective returns from the warm-up games read 1/13 (3) and 1/8 (3). She can be relied upon for breakthroughs.
Pitch:
The center wicket at Sharjah Cricket Stadium offers a balanced playing surface that slightly favors the bowlers. While it is conducive to batting, the average score in the 130s suggests the assistance that bowlers, particularly pacers, can expect from the pitch.
Weather:
The conditions in Sharjah are forecast to be clear and pleasant for cricket, with a minimal chance of rain. The temperature is expected to hover around 33°C, with moderate winds and humidity of 58%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Muneeba Ali, Harshitha Madhavi, Vishmi Gunaratne, Aliya Riaz, Chamari Athapaththu, Nida Dar, Kavisha Dilhari, Fatima Sana, Sadia Iqbal, Inoka Ranaweera, Inoshi Priyadharshani
Match details:
Date – October 3, 2024
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Broadcast – In India, the game will be telecasted by the Star Sports Network and will be available for live streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Click here for the full list of broadcasters for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.