The nineteenth clash of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 promises an enthralling showdown as New Zealand Women lock horns with Pakistan Women on October 18th at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The contest begins at 3:00 PM IST, setting the stage for a gripping battle between New Zealand’s calculated composure and Pakistan’s determined resilience under the humid Colombo skies.
New Zealand enters this encounter seeking to maintain their resurgence after a mixed start. Against Australia, they had the defending champions wobbling at 128/5 before a lower-order fightback saw them lose by 89 runs. Their following clash with South Africa showcased fighting spirit — posting 232 before narrowly falling short in defense. However, the White Ferns roared back to form with a dominant 100-run victory over Bangladesh, a statement win that revived their campaign. Rain, however, denied them momentum as their most recent fixture against Sri Lanka ended in a no result.
Pakistan, on the other hand, are still searching for consistency. Their batting has faltered at key junctures — dismissed for 129 against Bangladesh and 159 versus India despite disciplined bowling. Facing Australia, they displayed grit but succumbed to a 107-run defeat, emphasizing the need for greater batting partnerships. Their latest encounter against England highlighted promise as they were well set in pursuit of 113 from 31 overs, only for rain to force an unfortunate abandonment. For Pakistan, this clash against New Zealand represents both redemption and survival in the World Cup race.
Squads:
New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team
Sophie Devine (C), Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Fran Jonas, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Gaze (WK), Eden Carson, Molly Penfold, Lauren Down, Bernadine Bezuidenhout (WK)
Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team
Fatima Sana (C), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (VC), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah
Players to watch out:
Georgia Plimmer
After a frustrating run-out without facing a ball against Australia, the young top-order batter responded with 31 against South Africa and 4 against Bangladesh. With 431 runs in 28 ODIs, including a fluent century, Plimmer possesses the temperament to anchor innings and absorb pressure — a role vital to New Zealand’s stability in tricky conditions.
Lea Tahuhu
The seasoned pacer remains New Zealand’s pace spearhead with her trademark new-ball precision. Her fiery spell of 3/42 against Australia reaffirmed her potency, followed by 1/27 versus South Africa and 3/22 against Bangladesh, proving her consistency across conditions. With 122 wickets in 100 ODIs (best: 5/37), Tahuhu’s ability to exploit early movement could be decisive on a surface known for morning swing.
Muneeba Ali Siddiqui
Despite modest returns so far (17, 2, 3), Muneeba’s past performances underline her ability to anchor Pakistan’s innings. With 1341 runs in 56 ODIs, including a memorable century, her composure at the top will be crucial if Pakistan are to negotiate New Zealand’s swing attack and set a strong foundation.
Diana Baig
Pakistan’s most dependable performer with the ball this tournament, Baig has showcased exceptional control. Her 8-over spell for just 14 runs against Bangladesh set the tone, followed by 4/69 versus India, 1/74 against Australia, and 1/25 against England. With 63 wickets in 69 ODIs (best: 4/30), her discipline and lower-order contributions make her an invaluable asset.
Pitch:
The R. Premadasa Stadium surface traditionally rewards shot-makers early before gradually assisting spin as the match progresses. The average first-innings total of 288 suggests a balanced wicket offering runs for those who apply themselves. Under lights, expect turn and grip for spinners, especially in the middle overs. Captains winning the toss may prefer to bowl first, capitalizing on early movement and chasing under predictable evening conditions.
Weather:
Rain continues to hover as a concern in Colombo, with light showers expected throughout the day. Temperatures will hover around 29°C, coupled with 78% humidity and a 13 kph breeze, ensuring some early swing. With a 50% chance of rain, brief interruptions are possible, though both sides will be hopeful for an uninterrupted contest after consecutive weather-hit games.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Sophie Devine, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Brooke Halliday, Fatima Sana, Sidra Amin, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu
Match Details:
Date – October 18, 2025
Time – 3:00 PM IST
Venue – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Broadcast – Live on Star Sports Network | Streaming on JioCinema
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