Australia vs Pakistan
Dubai, 6pm local time
Australian National Team: Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham
Pakistan National Team: Munibah Ali (Captain and Lord), Aaliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gul Feroza, Iram Javed, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Arub Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuva Hasan, Fatima Sana (unlikely starters)
News summary: A personal tragedy all but ruined Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s chances of playing in Friday’s match. Muneeba Ali is expected to take up the role as he departs for Karachi. If Diana Baig is fit to play, she can be replaced. However, Sana’s shoes will be difficult to fill as he is Pakistan’s joint-highest wicket-taker so far and his strike rate of 153.57 is the highest within the side. Despite the will of their aggressive batsmen, they posted totals of 116 and 105 for eight and will have to go beyond that to challenge Australia.
Australia retained their status as champions and are currently on a 13-game winning streak in T20 World Cups since 2020. They have beaten Pakistan 13 times in T20Is and have never lost. Another win would secure a spot in the semifinals. Dubai could be a welcome change to Australia’s pitch after both games were played in Sharjah, where the pitch and outfield were slow. Grace Harris, who replaced Darcie Brown against New Zealand, may have to make way for the pacer as Australia bat deep.
Notable players: Nida Dar is the only Pakistani batsman to have crossed 20 runs in both games of this tournament. She is stable in 5th place. She has bowled just under five overs and has an economy of 4.55 but is yet to take a wicket. This is something she wants to change against Australia. Beth Mooney’s 40s in both matches in Sharjah took Australia home by a modest chase and set the platform for the highest total at the stadium so far in this tournament. The friendlier pitch in Dubai will add to her scoring tally and increase her boundary count if she can get another start.
