ICC Women's T20 World Cup: Pakistan's semi-final hopes rest on must-win game against New Zealand

Pakistan’s semi-final hopes in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup remain alive as they prepare for a crucial must-win match against New Zealand on Monday.

The Group A clash will take place at the Dubai Cricket Stadium, with the match scheduled to start at 7 pm PST. Both teams need a victory to stay in the hunt for a spot in the semi-finals, making the encounter critical for Pakistan’s campaign.

Pakistan's national team is currently in third place in Group A after securing an opening win against Sri Lanka but facing consecutive defeats to India and Australia. The Green Shirts now require a victory against New Zealand to keep their semi-final dreams alive.

The team will take part in a practice session on Sunday evening from 6 pm to 9 pm under the guidance of head coach Mohammad Wasim as they prepare for the do-or-die match.

New Zealand also faces a similar scenario, with both teams needing maximum points to move forward in the competition.

A day before yesterday, Australia secured a 9-wicket victory over Pakistan in the 14th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

The Pakistani team struggled to set a competitive total, managing only 82 runs after being put in to bat by the Australians.

The defending champions showcased their dominance from the outset, with their bowlers dismantling the Pakistani batting order early on. Within the first 10 overs, Pakistan found themselves in dire straits, losing half their side for just 39 runs.

Stand-in captain Muneeba Ali was the first to fall, scoring just seven runs off 12 deliveries against Sophie Molineux. The Green Shirts only managed to pass the 50-run mark in the 14th over, a sign of their batting woes.

Aliya Riaz emerged as Pakistan’s top scorer, contributing 26 runs from 32 balls.