Pakistan still looking forward to semi-final chance, says Omaima ahead of New Zealand World Cup clash

Pakistan opener Omaima Sohail said on Friday that the team was still waiting for a chance to reach the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup, ahead of its clash with New Zealand on Saturday.

On Wednesday, Pakistan’s hopes of a first World Cup victory were hit by rain, with their crucial match against England abandoned after a second downpour in Colombo.

Chasing a revised target of 113 to win after earlier rains reduced the match to 31 overs a side, Pakistan were on course for 34-0 in 6.4 overs when the rains returned to end any chance of the match being completed, saving England from their first defeat against the Green Shirts.

At the pre-match press conference at the R. Pramedasa Stadium in Colombo, Omaima said: “We are not relaxed at all. We have the opportunity to go [to the] semifinals if we win the games, like three games.

“So maybe the stage is open, so maybe we win all three games, so we have a chance in the semi-finals.”

Omaima showed flashes of form in the England encounter, unleashing a couple of sublime drives through the sheets on his way to an unbeaten 18th career.

She, along with fellow opener Muneeba Ali, will be instrumental in providing stability at the top to a batting line-up that has so far failed to cross the 200-run mark in the tournament.

“I think the main challenge is to open, play the new ball. If you saw the games, they are coming together and the field is good. [helping] sewing. I am trying to play the new ball and work on it,” the right-handed batsman said about the challenges of the opening.

Pakistan’s bowling, however, has been the real positive for the Green Shirts so far – having strong teams like England and Australia 78-7 and 76-7 in consecutive matches.

New Zealand coach Ben Sawyer was also wary of the danger Pakistani bowling posed in the press.

“Pakistan, yes. Look, they’ve put some teams in really difficult situations, so I think they had Australia 6 for 60. And then obviously the other night England were 7 for 70. So we have to be very careful with their bowling attack.

Sawyer also spoke about the improvements seen in the Pakistani top order in the previous match against England, saying: “Their top order is they did a little bit; it seems like light work to maybe chase that total the other night. So they’ve been impressive.”

The Kiwis also come into the match with a loss against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. The match was called off after Sri Lanka scored a discouraging first batting of 258-6.

Last week’s defeat against Australia had left the Green Shirts’ elimination hopes hanging by a thread as Pakistan recorded three defeats in a row.

Pakistan will hope to register their first win and get on the board on Saturday, and then hope that permutations and other teams’ results go in their favor to somehow reach the semi-finals, a typically Pakistani World Cup experience.



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