With Semifinal Spot Secured, South Africa Eye Top-Two Finish As They Face Pakistan In Colombo | Cricket News

South Africa have won four of their five matches so far. (AP Photo)

With a semifinal berth already secured, South Africa aims to maintain their winning momentum and boost their chances of finishing in the top two of the group stage as they face Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup on Tuesday.

Colombo’s weather might again prove to be a hindrance, and the Proteas women, who currently have eight points, are eager to add two more to their tally before the league stage concludes. This would help them avoid Australia in the semifinals, as Australia are likely to finish as table toppers, set to play against the fourth-placed team.

South Africa’s Net Run Rate (NRR) is -0.440, which is considerably lower than India’s +0.526. However, India, after three consecutive defeats, can only reach up to 8 points.

Tuesday’s weather will be closely watched due to multiple washouts in Colombo so far, which has raised questions about the ICC’s decision to host the games in the Sri Lankan capital during this season. Out of nine games in Colombo, five have been washed out due to adverse weather.

On paper, Pakistan do not match up to South Africa, although Fatima Sana’s team did win an ODI in the bilateral series that served as a warm-up for the World Cup.

With skipper Fatima and veteran Diana Baig, Pakistan’s bowling has some firepower on the slower pitches at the Premadasa Stadium, but their batting unit lacks the ability to chase any total over 175.

Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits are very strong at the top of the order for South Africa, while Sune Luus and Marizane Kaap can sustain the momentum in the middle overs. Nadine de Klerk is available for a final flourish, making the Proteas women capable of scoring 250 on any track and chasing that many runs if necessary. Most of their batters have strike-rates between 80 to 120.

In comparison, no top-order Pakistan batter has a strike-rate close to 75. The only player with a strike-rate near 75 is Diana, who is a tail-ender. The two washouts of their games have also not helped their cause.

Pakistan are already out of the semifinal race, and their motivation would be a consolation win to lift their spirits after an insipid batting show throughout the tournament.

South Africa Women vs Pakistan Women Full Squads

Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vc), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah.

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase