Following hosts England’s convincing win in the 3-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series opener over Pakistan, the 2nd T20I is a must-win contest for the visitors. The game will be played at The County Ground, Northampton, on the 17th of May, 2024, and live action commences at 11:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
England – Heather Knight (C), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones (WK), Freya Kemp, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Linsey Smith, Danielle Wyatt
Pakistan – Nida Dar (C), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (WK), Najiha Alvi (WK), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar
Players to watch out:
Heather Knight
The 33-year-old middle-order batter, averaging 25.28 and striking at 119.80, has amassed 1972 runs from 101 T20I innings and registered the highest of 108*, while also taking 21 wickets. Heather, in a recent 5-match T20I series, added 185 runs to the tally and, continuing the momentum, scored a fine 49 in the T20I opener against Pakistan. Given the form she is in, she can be banked upon to lead the scoring.
Sophie Ecclestone
The 25-year-old left-arm off-spinner has picked up 114 wickets from 78 T20I outings, averaging 14.95 and maintaining an economy rate of 5.84, while also being handy with the bat, chipping in with 229 runs from 31 T20I innings. Sophie, in the series opener, returned figures of 1/17 (4), while also stepping up with the bat, contributing valuable 19* runs off 11 balls. The team will count on her to capitalize on the start she has had.
Muneeba Ali
The 26-year-old keeper-batter has accumulated 1025 runs from 62 T20I innings, including a highest score of 102. Muneeba had a decent series against West Indies only recently, registering scores of 55 and 25, while managing starts in the remaining 3 games. In this series’ T20I opener, Muneeba again failed to convert her start, departing for 10, but should be backed to build on these scores, notching up a big one in the games to follow.
Tuba Hassan
The 23-year-old leg-spinner in T20Is, from 23 innings, has scalped 21 wickets, including the best of 3/8, at an average of 21.47 and an economy rate of 6.02. While she hasn’t scored many runs in international cricket, she was in blazing form in a recent domestic T20 competition. Tuba’s bowling figures in the T20I opener against England read 1/22 (3), and it’ll be hoped she continues this form while also chipping in with the bat.
Pitch:
The 22-yard strip at The County Ground, Northampton, is relatively balanced with an average score in the 140s. While conditions are conducive for batting, the wicket also offers assistance to bowlers, both spinners and pacers, as reflected in the average score.
Weather:
Despite cloudy skies, the conditions are pleasant for cricket at Northampton, as the chances of rain are minimal. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 19°C, with light winds and humidity of 71%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Danielle Gibson, Fatima Sana, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell
Match details:
Date – May 17, 2024
Time – 11:00 PM IST
Venue – The County Ground, Northampton
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
