ICC Women’s World Cup: Pakistan meet India in 7th place play-off

Team motivated to break winless streak by overcoming arch-rivals.

KARACHI: Winless Pakistan are determined to beat India as they look to end their brief ICC Women’s World Cup campaign with a victory over the arch-rivals in the seventh-place play-off today in Cuttack.

After losing three successive group B matches, Pakistan were knocked out of the eight-nation competition that has entered the super-six stage.

With India finishing at the bottom in group A, the traditional rivals will meet at the Barabati Stadium with each trying to avoid the last-place in the tournament.

According to Pakistan team manager Ayesha Ashar, the fixture holds a lot of importance for the national side.

“Defeating India will ensure a positive end,” Ayesha told The Express Tribune from Cuttack. “It’s a battle that will determine the rankings, so it is very important for us and we will go all-out to overcome them.”

However, she admitted that beating India will not be an easy task.

“They are one of the best in the business. India started as favourites of the tournament because they have a balanced side. We will have to work very hard and have to show a lot of improvement to beat them.

“Our batting remains a worry. If the batters manage to give an improved show then we’ll stand a good chance to beat India.”

ICC satisfied with arrangements for Pakistan

Meanwhile, the ICC finally responded to the criticism related to the accommodation of the Pakistan team in stadium premises and declared the arrangements up to the mark.

Pakistan were housed in the stadium after hotels showed reluctance to provide hospitality to the tourists amid threats from right-wing political parties in India. The decision drew heavy criticism, raising questions on the Indian cricket board’s ability to hold ICC events.

However, the governing body’s chief executive Dave Richardson lauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for making adequate arrangements for the team.

“The BCCI deserves ample praise for handling the situation,” said Richardson. “The arrangements in the stadium for Pakistan team’s accommodation were agreeable.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2013.