The ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017 has entered the Super Six round. With India and South Africa Women dominating the proceedings during the preliminary rounds, in their respective groups, the onus now shifts to the next stage. The tournament started with 10 teams and now has been reduced to 6. The table-toppers India and South Africa lock horns against each other in the first encounter of Super Six whereas Sri Lanka eves clash against Pakistan on February 15. Another riveting clash awaits in form of Bangladesh Women up against Ireland. Fireworks are expected when teams of equal caliber and fortunes, in the tournament, meet on Wednesday.
Group A’s 2nd ranked side vs Group B’s runners-up:
Not only is the first tie of the Super Six round, between Mithali Raj’s side versus the Proteas’ women, expected to be a cracking contest but the second match will see the hosts, Sri Lanka Women, against Pakistan Women. The tournament has moved to a stage which has no breathing space for a weak or inconsistent side. Talking of consistency, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have gone through equal success and failures in the tournament. Both won 3 out of 4 encounters in Round 1 thereby facing defeat on only one occasion.
If Sri Lanka were mauled by India, Pakistan were hammered by South Africa Women. There is not much to separate both sides on paper but the pressure of ‘Super Six’ round will keep them on their toes. Sri Lanka’s key players will be Inoka Ranaweera who is not only the skipper but also their leading wicket-taker of the tournament. From Pakistan’s line-up, the onus will be on veteran player and skipper Sana Mir along with in-form players Ayesha Zafar and Javeria Khan. IND vs SA, ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017, Super Six, Preview
The Asian neighbours will be itching for a fitting start to the Super Six round in order to keep momentum on their side. For now, home advantage tilts towards Sri Lanka. The match will be played at Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo.
Squads:
Sri Lanka Women: Inoka Ranaweera (c), Chamari Atapattu, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Nipuni Hansika, Eshani Lokusuriyage, Sugandika Kumari, Harshitha Madavi, Dilani Manodara, Hasini Perera, Udeshika Prabodhani, Chamari Polgampola, Malsha Shehani, Prasadani Weerakkody, Sripali Weerakkody (wk)
Pakistan Women: Sana Mir (c), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Bismah Maroof, Ghulam Fatima, Javeria Khan, Nahida Khan, Maham Tariq, Nashra Sandhu, Sidra Ameen, Rabiya Shah, Nain Abidi, Muneeba Ali
Time: 10:00 AM IST
Group A’s 3rd ranked side vs Group B’s second runners-up:
Similar is the situation in the last match of the Super Six round to be played on Wednesday. If favourites India and South Africa are pitted against each other, challengers Sri Lanka Women take on Pakistan Women. Similarly, underdogs Ireland Women play Bangladesh Women to sum up February 15 fixture.
Talking about the form of both sides, Ireland and Bangladesh stand neck-to-neck in this aspect. Ireland won 2 out of 4 games in the first round and similar was the story of Bangladesh. Ireland lost to Group A’s stronger outfits like India and Sri Lanka whereas they trounced Zimbabwe and Thailand eves.
On the other hand, Bangladesh were placed alongside Pakistan, South Africa, Papua New Guinea and Scotland. They went past the latter sides emphatically but were on the mat against Pakistan and South Africa. Both sides will have to raise their game in the next round to live longer in the tournament. Ireland and Bangladesh eves know that a win will not only keep them in good stead but also stay upbeat and cause upsets against other formidable line-ups. ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017: Points table
The key players will be Irish skipper Laura Delany who has had a good run with the bat along with Kim Grath and bowler Isobel Joyce. From Bangladesh, captain Rumana Ahmed, Jahanara Alam and Fargana Hoque will be expected to shine and take charge. The match will be played at Colombo Cricket Club Ground on Wednesday morning. Bangladesh will have an edge over Irish Women due to the conditions on offer. Ireland will once again be tested on the slow pitches in the island nation and their opponents will try to unleash spin to keep them on the backfoot.
Squads:
Ireland Women: Laura Delany(c), Kim Garth, Cecelia Joyce, Isobel Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Meg Kendal, Amy Kenealy, Gaby Lewis, Robyn Lewis, Louise McCarthy, Ciara Metcalfe, Lucy O’Reilly, Clare Shillington, Mary Waldron (wk)
Bangladesh Women: Rumana Ahmed (c), Fargana Hoque, Fahima Khatun, Sanjida Islam, Jahanara Alam, Khadija Tul Kubra, Lata Mondal, Nigar Sultana (wk), Panna Ghosh, Ritu Moni, Salma Khatun, Sharmin Sultana, Sharmin Akhter, Suraiya Azmin, Shaila Sharmin
Time: 10:00 AM IST