As the 2025 Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Division 2 Qualifier progresses, Match 8 promises an exciting contest between Italy Women and Sweden Women at the Simar Cricket Ground in Rome. Both the teams have started their campaigns on a winning note and this upcoming contest will decide which team continues their winning streak.
Italy has had a bright start to this season, winning both their opening matches. The Jersey openers posted a commendable total of 162 and Analise’s half century didn’t prove enough as Italy’s opener Dilaisha smashed 86 runs off 54 balls, anchored by Ilenia steady 32 runs, which helped chase down the required, securing a win by 7 wickets.
On the other hand, Sweden commenced their tournament with a crucial win by 13 runs against Spain. With Eman’s 30 and a handful of runs from players like Gunjan and Zara, Sweden posted a total of 104. However, Hillman’s 34 went in vain as Spain lost consecutive wickets and folded for just 91. Zara was crucial for Sweden as she picked up 2 crucial wickets.
In match number 3, Italy’s bowling line up restricted Isle of Man to just 88 runs, dismantling their batting line up. Chathurika picked up 3 crucial wickets for Sweden, alongside Alexia’s unbeaten 30 secured Italy a crucial 8 wicket victory.
Squads:
Italy Women’s Cricket Team
Emilia Bartram(C), Dilaisha Nanayakkara (VC), Teshani Araliya, Nimesha Ekanayake, Ishara Jayamannage, Pasindi Kanankege, Alexia Kontopirakis, Chathurika Mahamalage, Emma Moore, Kumudu Peddrick, Chloe Piparo, Methnara Rathnayake (WK), Ilenia Sims, Annie Wikman
Sweden Women’s Cricket Team
Abhilasha Singh, Ekaterina Bogdanova, Eman Asim, Rashmi Somashekar, Anya Vaidya, Gunjan Shukla, Kanchan Rana, Malyun Yusuf, Elsa Thelander (WK), Meghana Alugunoolla (WK), Fatima Zahra, Gaya Jayaweera, Hareer Chamto, Hariharan Shreya, Imali Jayasooriya, Surya Ravuri, Zara Mohammad
Players to watch out:
Dilaisha Nanayakkara
The opening batter for Italy, Nanayakkara’s all-rounder abilities have been instrumental in the team’s performance. In the opening match against Jersey, Dilaisha scored a commendable 86 runs off 54 balls. In WT20Is she has secured a total of 343 runs and picked up 25 wickets from 39 matches.
Chathurika Mahamalage
The bowler is known for her consistency in dismantling the batting units. Mahamalage played a crucial role in Italy’s victory over Isle of Man, picking up 3 crucial wickets. Her WT20I record reads, 531 runs and 33 wickets from 35 outings.
Eman Asim
Asim has been a standout performer for Sweden, delivering a match-winning 30 runs against Spain in their opening game. Her aggressive batting style can put pressure on the opposition’s bowling attack. The opener has secured 220 runs from 22 matches in WT20Is.
Zara Mohammad
An emerging talent, Mohammad’s leg-spin has been effective in the middle overs. She picked up 2 wickets against Spain, restricting the flow of runs and providing crucial breakthroughs. As an emerging talent, she has added 26 runs scalped 5 wickets from 7 WT20Is.
Pitch
The pitch at Simar Cricket Ground offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. While the surface is conducive to stroke play, bowlers who maintain discipline can extract assistance, especially in the early overs.
Weather
Rome is expected to experience pleasant weather on match day, with temperatures hovering around 34°C and low chances of rain. Humidity may rise to 60% but the conditions are ideal for a full game of cricket.
Fantasy XI Picks:
Dilaisha Nanayakkara, Alexia Kontopirakis, Chathurika Mahamalage, Emilia Bartram, Eman Asim, Lucy Barnett, Zara Mohammad, Kumudu Peddrick, Anya Vaidya, Gunjan Shukla, Teshani Araliya
Match details:
Date – May 26, 2025
Time – 6:30 PM IST
Venue – Simar Cricket Ground, Rome
Broadcast – The game will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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