Colombo, October 18 (Udaipur Kiran): Pakistan will look to secure their first victory in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 as they take on New Zealand in the 19th match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday.
The Pakistan team has played four matches so far, losing three and having one match end without a result. With just one point, they currently sit at the bottom of the points table. In contrast, New Zealand are placed fifth, having won one of their four games, lost two, and seen one match washed out due to rain.
For New Zealand, the spotlight will be on experienced batters Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Brooke Halliday, while Jess Kerr and Amelia Kerr will lead the bowling attack. Veteran batter Suzie Bates is just 75 runs away from completing 6,000 runs in One-Day Internationals and needs 68 more to surpass Charlotte Edwards to become the second-highest run-getter in women’s ODIs. Bates has an impressive record against Pakistan, having scored 874 runs at an average of 72.83.
On the other hand, Pakistan will rely heavily on Sidra Ameen and Muneeba Ali to provide stability with the bat. In the bowling department, skipper Fatima Sana and spinner Nashra Sandhu are expected to play key roles in restricting the New Zealand batters.
Weather forecasts suggest possible rain interruptions in Colombo on Saturday. As the match progresses, the pitch is expected to assist spinners, with the temperature likely to range between 25°C and 30°C.
The match will begin at 3 PM IST, with the toss scheduled half an hour earlier. Live coverage will be available on the Star Sports Network, while live streaming can be watched on the JioHotstar app.
Pakistan Squad: Muneeba Ali, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Ameen, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Parvaiz, Fatima Sana (captain), Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Syeda Aroob Shah, Sadaf Shamas, Ayman Fatima, Shawal Zulfiqar.
New Zealand Squad: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (captain), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wicketkeeper), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Briar Ineleing, Eden Carson, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.