Match Preview: Australia vs Pakistan - Match 2

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Maryam Mallick
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Meg Lanning, bowlers guide Australia to the victory against Proteas

Meg Lanning. ©ICC

Match Preview: Australia vs Pakistan - Match 2



Date: November 9, 2018



Venue: Guyana National Stadium, Providence, Guyana



The second match of the most widely broadcasted women's cricket event will be between Australia and Pakistan. Though they had not played much against each other previously, in the past few weeks, they would have gotten better acquainted with their opposition. The two recently concluded a six-match series. While Australia won all the matches, Pakistan gained valuable insight into their counterparts weaknesses. Both teams go into the tournament on the back of some winning momentum. Australia, having clean-swept its series' against New Zealand and Pakistan, before winning their warm-up match as well. Pakistan, having won both its warm-up matches convincingly, including a huge 90-run win over South Africa. Can the team in green learn from its mistakes and cause an upset at the very beginning of the Women's World Twenty-20?



 



Players to Watch Out for:



Alyssa Healy (Australia)



Role: Wicketkeeper-batter



T20I's: 86



Dismissals: Catches- 26; Stumpings- 38



Batting Stats: Runs- 1212; Average- 20.54; Strike Rate- 119.o5; 50's- 6



Best: 90



Healy comes into the tournament on the back of some impressive form. Adjudged as the Player-of-the-Series for the previous two T20 series she has played, for being the highest run-scorer, Healy seems to be in fine touch. Opening the batting for her side, she will look to take on the batters during the Powerplay, when the fielders are in. She is an aggressive player and a hard-hitter who can swing the game in her side's favour, making her an integral part of Australia's line-up.



However, it is not just with the bat that Healy's services will be required. Also a highly skilled wicketkeeper, Healy has the ability to create an opportunity for a wicket out of thin air. Especially so when long-time teammate Ellyse Perry is bowling. The two have paired up for some memorable dismissals, which we will most definitely see more of during the course of the tournament.



Omaima Sohail (Pakistan)



Role: Top-order Batter



T20I's: 3



Batting Stats: Runs- 72; Average- 24.00; Strike Rate- 110.76



Best: 43



The up-and-coming youngster has only recently found her place in the national squad but, she possesses an enormous amount of talent.  Particularly impressive was - in her teammate Bismah Maroof's words- her "fearless" approach against a quality bowling side. This was an aspect that many senior players in her team lacked and something Pakistan need to keep up with the game, as it advances. This young-gun may just be 'The X-factor' Pakistan need.



 



Conditions:



The pitches in Guyana are quite spin-friendly so, they can be expected to be slow. This match will be the second to be played on the pitch so how it changes will be interesting to see, as a third match soon follows.



 



Who said what:



"I think that series over in Malaysia has worked out really well for us. We had to adjust a little bit over there to get used to it" Meg Lanning said about the condition there and how the squad is coping up.



"Captaining this side is not easy. You have to keep yourself calm also, and you have to keep the girls in a good mindset." Javeria Khan shared about leading the team in tournament.



 



Probable XI:



Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardener, Elyse Villani, Meg Lanning (C), Rachael Haynes, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Molineux, Delissa Kimmince, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt



Pakistan: Ayesha Zafar, Nahida Khan, Omaima Sohail, Javeria Khan (C), Bismah Maroof, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Sana Mir, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Anam Amin, Natalia Pervaiz
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