The Pakistan Women’s team enters a critical juncture at the 2025 ODI World Cup, clinging to slim hopes as they desperately seek their first points of the tournament.
With three consecutive losses placing them at the bottom of the standings, Pakistan is set to clash with an in-form England squad at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday. This match is nothing less than a battle for survival.
Just last week, the Fatima Sana-led team showed flashes of brilliance against Australia, appearing on the verge of an upset victory. However, the defending champions swiftly crushed their dreams. Beth Mooney’s calm determination shifted the momentum, and Pakistan’s fighting spirit seemed to dissipate well before Australia’s bowlers sealed the win.
Captain Fatima Sana now faces the monumental challenge of rallying her team and reigniting the promising spark they’ve occasionally displayed. Although Pakistan’s bowlers have consistently secured early wickets, their struggle to control run-scoring in the middle and death overs has proven to be a costly Achilles’ heel.
Against an English lineup known to falter against spin, the tactical deployment of Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal will be crucial. This left-arm orthodox duo is expected to pose a significant challenge to England’s top right-handed batters, with the prized wicket of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt being a primary target.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, fresh from a superb century, will undoubtedly be brimming with confidence, further boosted by her exceptional record against Pakistan, where she boasts an average of 92 and a striking rate of 131.
On the other side, Sciver-Brunt will rely on her potent bowling attack, spearheaded by Sophie Ecclestone, to apply immense pressure on Pakistan’s struggling batting order. With only Sidra Amin managing to cross the 50-run mark across three combined innings, the entire batting unit is under intense scrutiny.
Historically, Pakistan has never defeated England, entering this contest with an imposing 0-13 head-to-head record. However, a victory wouldn’t just break this challenging streak; it would fundamentally revitalize their World Cup campaign.