The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup continues with an intriguing contest as New Zealand Women take on Pakistan Women at the historic R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Scheduled for 18th October, the match begins at 10:30 AM UK time, corresponding to a 3:00 PM IST start. With both teams fighting for valuable points, this encounter promises a fascinating clash between New Zealand’s experience and Pakistan’s improving confidence in spin-friendly conditions.
Form Guide
New Zealand Women
New Zealand Women have shown strong form in the competition, combining consistency with a balanced lineup. Their batters have been among the runs, and the bowlers have maintained discipline under pressure. With a healthy blend of youth and experience, the White Ferns will look to continue their winning momentum and consolidate their top-four position.
- Top-order batters in good touch, providing solid starts.
- Bowling attack performing cohesively with both pace and spin options.
- Strong fielding unit adding energy and reliability in crucial moments.
Pakistan Women
Pakistan Women have displayed steady improvement throughout the World Cup, with their spinners proving effective on Asian surfaces. While their bowling attack has been consistent, batting remains an area of focus. Against New Zealand, they’ll aim for better partnerships and sharper execution to challenge one of the tournament’s most balanced sides.
- Spin attack capable of controlling the game on slow pitches.
- Batting lineup showing flashes of resilience in the middle order.
- Need for early breakthroughs to contain strong opposition batting.
Key Players
New Zealand Women
- Sophie Devine – The inspirational captain and all-rounder continues to lead from the front with both bat and ball.
- Amelia Kerr – The world-class leg-spinner and dependable batter provides balance and consistency across formats.
- Suzie Bates – The experienced opener brings stability and aggression at the top of the order.
Pakistan Women
- Bismah Maroof – The veteran batter’s composure and ability to build innings make her crucial to Pakistan’s chances.
- Nida Dar – The dependable all-rounder continues to play a key role with her off-spin and lower-order batting.
- Sadia Iqbal – The left-arm spinner’s control and variation could be vital against New Zealand’s strong batting lineup.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The R Premadasa Stadium pitch is expected to offer turn and grip for spinners, especially as the game progresses. Batters will need to adjust to slower pace and focus on strike rotation. Scores around 230–250 are likely to be competitive. The weather forecast for Colombo is hot and humid, with a slim chance of brief showers later in the afternoon.
New Zealand Women vs Pakistan Women – Prediction
The New Zealand Women will rely on Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr to lead the way, while Suzie Bates anchors the batting. The Pakistan Women will look to Bismah Maroof and Nida Dar to provide resistance. However, with superior batting depth and adaptability, New Zealand are favourites to secure victory in Colombo and strengthen their push for the knockout stages.
Dream 11 Fantasy Picks
- Amelia Kerr – A complete all-rounder and consistent fantasy points scorer.
- Nida Dar – Offers reliability and versatility with both bat and ball.
- Sophie Devine – A must-pick captain option with her proven match-winning abilities.
