Buoyed by the thrilling win over arch-foes India, the Pakistan women’s cricket team would look to score a big victory over Bangladesh and stay in the hunt for a historic semifinal berth in the ICC World Twenty20, here on Thursday.
The two-run win via Duckworth/lewis method over India was just the booster shot that Pakistan needed and they would look to ensure a comfortable win over the Bangla women, who are already out of contention after losing all their three matches so far.
Pakistan have never made the knockout stage of the ICC Women’s World T20, finishing seventh out of 10 teams in the last edition, with wins over Ireland and Sri lanka during the competition. Since 2014, though, Pakistan managed important T20 series wins against South Africa as well as Bangladesh.
While Pakistan’s bowling unit has given a good account of itself so far, the batters will have to put up an improved performance.
They are already missing all-rounder Javeria Khan, who was ruled out of the tournament before the match against India with a broken jaw, an injury caused by a bouncer during their World T20 opener against the West Indies.
In her absence, the onus would be on the likes of Sidra Ameen, Bismah Maroof and Sana Mir, the captain, to add more punch to the team’s batting.
Pakistan lost to West Indies by four runs in their first game in Chennai, but the spinners shook up the opposition. led by the left-arm spin twins of Amin and Yousuf.
In the other match to be played at this venue on Thursday, Australia women will take on Sri lanka.