Women's World Cup: Pakistan continue search for first win
Side currently languish bottom of the pile but face fellow strugglers West Indies on Tuesday
Below par: Sana had said Pakistan will be aiming to qualify for the semi-finals before the tournament began but they have been the tournament’s worst team so far. PHOTO COURTESY: ICC
KARACHI:
Pakistan have had a horrid time at the Women’s World Cup so far, having lost all five matches they have played so far, but skipper Sana Mir is keen on finishing the tournament on a strong note as they take on West Indies on Tuesday at Grace Road.
The Caribbean side are also languishing towards the bottom, having won just the one game against Sri Lanka, and Sana feels Pakistan should aim to win both their remaining games.
“It’s extremely important for us to finish this tournament on a strong note,” Sana told The Express Tribune. “We started off on a strong note — almost winning the game against a strong South Africa side — but then things started slipping and it went from bad to worse. However, it is important to finish on a high note.”
Sana feels that, despite the poor performances from most of the players, the team doesn’t need an overhaul. “We have to be patient with the team,” she said. “Not having Bismah Maroof around makes things tougher since she is one of our star batsmen.”
Pakistan are no longer in contention for a semi-final spot but Sana is keen to avoid finishing bottom of the pile. “We don’t want to finish the tournament in last place — that is not the type of team we are,” she said. “We have the potential to beat our next two opponents — West Indies and Sri lanka.”
Sana feels the batsmen need to step up and fill the boots of Bismah. “We must fill the gap left behind by her absence and other batsmen should put in their best to either put up a big total or chase down the target,” she said.
Sana hinted the players may have let the pressure of the World Cup get to them, especially the inexperienced lot. “The youngsters had put in some good performances in previous tournaments but they haven’t been able to do so in the World Cup,” she said. “Everyone in the team is looking to take responsibility — I’m in good form so it’s all the more important for me to continue scoring runs. I believe in the players at my disposal; they have the potential and have shown what they can do previously.”
Winning the next two matches will see Pakistan finish sixth; not enough to qualify for the next round but still much better than the bottom position that they currently occupy.
Meanwhile, head coach Sabih Azhar said the team has been working on its weaknesses and knows which areas need focus going into the next game.
“We have not only been working in the batting department but have also told the bowlers they need to get early wickets,” he said. “They must give their best in all areas — playing as one unit and backing one another will be the key to win the next two games.”
Pakistan have had a horrid time at the Women’s World Cup so far, having lost all five matches they have played so far, but skipper Sana Mir is keen on finishing the tournament on a strong note as they take on West Indies on Tuesday at Grace Road.
The Caribbean side are also languishing towards the bottom, having won just the one game against Sri Lanka, and Sana feels Pakistan should aim to win both their remaining games.
“It’s extremely important for us to finish this tournament on a strong note,” Sana told The Express Tribune. “We started off on a strong note — almost winning the game against a strong South Africa side — but then things started slipping and it went from bad to worse. However, it is important to finish on a high note.”
Sana feels that, despite the poor performances from most of the players, the team doesn’t need an overhaul. “We have to be patient with the team,” she said. “Not having Bismah Maroof around makes things tougher since she is one of our star batsmen.”
Pakistan are no longer in contention for a semi-final spot but Sana is keen to avoid finishing bottom of the pile. “We don’t want to finish the tournament in last place — that is not the type of team we are,” she said. “We have the potential to beat our next two opponents — West Indies and Sri lanka.”
Sana feels the batsmen need to step up and fill the boots of Bismah. “We must fill the gap left behind by her absence and other batsmen should put in their best to either put up a big total or chase down the target,” she said.
Sana Mir ready for Women’s World Cup challenge
Sana hinted the players may have let the pressure of the World Cup get to them, especially the inexperienced lot. “The youngsters had put in some good performances in previous tournaments but they haven’t been able to do so in the World Cup,” she said. “Everyone in the team is looking to take responsibility — I’m in good form so it’s all the more important for me to continue scoring runs. I believe in the players at my disposal; they have the potential and have shown what they can do previously.”
Winning the next two matches will see Pakistan finish sixth; not enough to qualify for the next round but still much better than the bottom position that they currently occupy.
Meanwhile, head coach Sabih Azhar said the team has been working on its weaknesses and knows which areas need focus going into the next game.
“We have not only been working in the batting department but have also told the bowlers they need to get early wickets,” he said. “They must give their best in all areas — playing as one unit and backing one another will be the key to win the next two games.”