Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first in their opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup against Bangladesh on Thursday at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
The Green Shirts entered the tournament on a high, having maintained a perfect win record in the World Cup qualifier held earlier this year in Lahore. In their build-up to the mega event, they hosted South Africa for a three-match ODI series, which the visitors won 2-1.
All of Pakistan’s group-stage matches will be played in Colombo. Conditions today are hot and humid, with the temperature around 32°C.
Commentator Alan Wilkins noted the challenging weather, while Russel Arnold assessed the pitch, suggesting that batters could play through the line early on. “Later, it will not slow down or take turn because of how hard it is and the grass on the surface. Pakistan have done the right thing,” he said.
Arnold added: “Don’t target 300, but par score is 260-265, even though there may be a bit of dew later on.”
Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Farqana Hoque, Rubya Haider, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Nishita Akter.
Pakistan: Muneeba Ali, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana, Sidra Nawaz, Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal.
