Renowned Pakistani cricketer Sana Mir is placing her bets on Sri Lanka and Scotland to make waves at the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in October. Following their clash in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier final, where Sri Lanka emerged victorious with a 68-run win over Scotland on 7 May, both teams have secured their place in the main tournament in Bangladesh, with the former in group A and later in group B.
Sana, serving as the brand ambassador of the tournament, showered praise on both teams and expressed high expectations for their performances in the upcoming World Cup. She particularly lauded Sri Lanka’s flawless run in the qualifier, where they registered a winning streak to clinch the title. Sana views this triumph as a testament to their recent strong showings against top-ranked international teams. Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu led the charge, attributing it to Athapaththu’s heroics, which propelled them to victories against formidable opponents like South Africa and New Zealand, emphasizing Sri Lanka’s dominance. Sana believes they have the potential to extend their impressive streak into the T20 World Cup and even make a push for the semi-finals.
She mentioned, “Sri Lanka’s dominant performance was a continuation of their exceptional recent run, led by Athapaththu’s heroics, The series wins against South Africa and New Zealand and a comfortable run in the Qualifier barring the UAE semi-final puts them in great shape ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.”
Sana acknowledged the pivotal role of skipper Athapaththu as the backbone of the Sri Lankan side, emphasizing that her performance could significantly influence the team’s fortunes in the upcoming event. As the leading run-scorer for Sri Lanka in both the ODI and T20I formats, Athapaththu’s consistent excellence has been instrumental in driving her team forward. Her standout performance in the Qualifier final, where she delivered a match-winning century, further solidified her importance to the team’s success.
Sana’s analysis reflects on Sri Lanka’s formidable potential, even in the face of a challenging group comprising cricketing powerhouses like Australia, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand. Her observation centers on the transformative impact that Chamari Athapaththu’s performance could have on Sri Lanka’s fortunes in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. She further acknowledged the capacity for Sri Lanka to upset the established contenders, highlighting Athapaththu’s role as a potential game-changer. With her ability to deliver under pressure, Athapaththu could pave the way for Sri Lanka to surprise both fans and critics alike, potentially securing a spot in the coveted semi-finals.
She stated, “Despite a tough group comprising Australia, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, Sri Lanka has the potential to cause upsets and if Athapaththu can deliver in Bangladesh they may surprise a lot of followers of the game and maybe even make it to the semis there.”
Scotland’s remarkable performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier was equally noteworthy, with their only setbacks being two losses to Sri Lanka. Their journey was nothing short of inspirational, highlighted by a significant triumph over Ireland in the semi-final, securing their maiden spot in the T20 World Cup. Sana attributed Scotland’s success to the leadership of skipper Kathryn Bryce, recognizing her pivotal role in their campaign. Kathryn Bryce’s contribution was immense, showcasing her prowess with both bat and ball, amassing 177 runs at an impressive average of 88.5 and claiming nine wickets at a remarkable average of 6.88, claiming three Player of the Match accolades in the tournament. Bryce’s stellar performance exemplified her significance to the Scottish team’s success.
Expressing confidence in Scotland’s potential, Sana believed that with proper preparation, they could replicate their achievements on the global stage in Bangladesh. Sana acknowledged Scotland’s underdog status in the Women’s T20 World Cup sets the stage for a narrative of determination and potential. Despite not being considered among the favorites, Mir gives credit to Kathryn Bryce, the team, and their support staff for their resilience and ability to rise to the occasion. With a challenging group comprising Bangladesh, England, South Africa, and the West Indies, Scotland faces formidable opponents. However, Mir sees promise in their ability to cause upsets, emphasizing the importance of preparation in the lead-up to the tournament. With four months remaining, Mir believes that Scotland has the opportunity to utilize this time effectively to hone their skills and strategies.
She stated, “They were not considered amongst the favorites coming into the tournament, but credit to Kathryn Bryce, her charges, and their support staff for stepping up when it mattered the most.“