ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Match 8, Pakistan vs West Indies: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

West Indies Women were expected to beat debutants Thailand comfortably in their first match of the tournament. They did win, but they had to work for it. They will now meet Pakistan Women – the only team yet to play a match – for Match 8 of the T20 World Cup, at Manuka Oval, Canberra.

West Indies’ win may seem easy on paper, but at one point Thailand were 46/2 in the 12th over, set for a score around 100. However, the canny Stafanie Taylor (3-0-13-3) restricted them to 78/9. The Thai fielders then reduced West Indies to 27/3 before Taylor (26*) and Shemaine Campbelle (25*) saw them home.

As mentioned above, this will be Pakistan’s first match of the tournament. They have not had a great time in Australia, having lost the warm-up match. Led by Fatima Sana (3-0-12-2) and Anam Amin (3-0-12-1), their bowlers restricted Bangladesh to 111/8 that day, but thereafter there was no resistance barring Javeria Khan’s 34-ball 41. Pakistan were bowled out for 106.

History favours West Indies as well. They won 2-1 even in their last series, in Pakistan last season.

Head to head

West Indies hold a 10-2 lead here (this includes 3 matches won in Super Over).

Key players

Javeria Khan: Javeria was the only Pakistani batter to leave an impact in the warm-up match. Captain of Pakistan in the 2018 edition, Javeria will have to assist Maroof in both putting up big totals and marshalling the troops.

Stafanie Taylor (West Indies Women): As mentioned above, Taylor played major role West Indies’ win against Thailand. She will have to perform an encore here to cover up for both the batters and bowlers, who have failed time and again.

Likely XIs

Pakistan Women: Javeria Khan, Ayesha Naseem, Bismah Maroof (c), Umaima Sohail, Nida Dar, Iram Jayed, Aliya Riaz, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Diana Baig, Anam Amin, Aiman Anwer.

West Indies Women: Hayley Matthews, Lee-Ann Kirby, Stafanie Taylor (c), Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Aaliyah Alleyne, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Anisa Mohammed, Afy Fletcher, Shamilia Connell.

Prediction

West Indies to win.