Tournament swansong for hosts New Zealand and Pakistan

MATCH CENTRE | STANDINGS

• Match 26: New Zealand Women v Pakistan Women
• Hagley Oval, Christchurch
• Saturday 26 March, 11:00 Local Time

Pakistan are already confirmed as being unable to reach the knockout stages of the tournament, while hosts New Zealand require a mathematical miracle to make it to the final four.

And so Saturday’s match at the famous Hagley Oval represents a final chance for the two teams to light up a tournament to which they have added so much.

“I think coming into a tournament like this you always have predictions and where you think the team should end up and how they should go,” New Zealand’s Amy Satterthwaite said as she reflected on the six games of the group stage.

“It's the funny thing about World Cups, they can always have some interesting results on the day and I think teams have shown how close the women's game is getting now.

“Unfortunately for us we've only got it 80% right at times against the big teams and know that the 20% has really hurt us. But we're really proud of the way that we sort of fought throughout those games and really tried to stay in it.”

Pakistan got the win they desperately wanted when they overcame West Indies in a rain-affected match last time out.

And captain Bismah Maroof says there is a clear learning to be taken from the tournament.

“If we reflect back, in the previous year our top batting order was the failing,” Maroof said.

“This was a big tournament so we relied on our senior players and to some extent they responded well.

“But if we talk about overall batting approach, it needs to be changed. You know, we need to pick our areas, back ourselves and score big.

“Definitely, we will get back and we will work on the overall batting approach of our team.”****

THE TEAMS

**Pakistan Squad:**Bismah Maroof (c), Nida Dar (vc), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sundhu, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz

**New Zealand Squad:**Sophie Devine (c), Amy Satterthwaite (vc), Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Frankie Mackay, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu. Travelling Reserve: Molly Penfold

CWC22 DREAM11 FANTASY WATCH

Captaincy Pick – Amelia Kerr

New Zealand’s all-rounder came into the World Cup in terrific form and offers genuine quality with both bat and ball. She was in power-hitting mode against Bangladesh last time out, blasting an unbeaten 47* from 37 balls to help the tournament hosts to victory, and has the quality to do the same sort of damage to Pakistan’s attack.

Captaincy Pick – Bismah Maroof

Pakistan’s captain has provided one of the most striking images of the tournament so far, and her performances on the pitch have been noteworthy too. Her 78 against Australia’s high-quality bowling showed her class, and she’ll be looking to double up against New Zealand’s dangerous attack.

KEY PLAYERS

**Sophie Devine -**Devine's experience with bat and ball is invaluable, but it is perhaps her tactical nous that is her most underrated asset of all. The White Ferns skipper always sets good fields and generally rotates her bowlers well to ensure batters don't become too comfortable.

**Nashra Sundhu -**The slow left-armer is Pakistan's most reliable performer with the ball and her impressive average of just under 28 at international ODI level is testimony to this.

THE VENUE

This match will be played at the stunning Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

The famous grass bowl of a ground will also be the stage for the tournament’s second semi-final and then the final itself in April.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

All eight teams at the tournament are playing each other across seven rounds in a league format.

The top four teams in the standings after the conclusion of the Group Stage will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be held in the final week of March.

LATER FIXTURES

This is New Zealand’s final group stage fixture:

• 26 March v Pakistan

This is Pakistan’s final group stage fixture:

• 26 March v New Zealand