Women's T20 World Cup, PAK Vs NZ: New Zealand Opt To Bat First; Check Out The Playing XIs
New Zealand will bat first vs Pakistan [Source: @WHITE_FERNS/X]
In a significant development, New Zealand Women have won the toss and opted to bat first against Pakistan Women in their final group-stage match of the ongoing T20 World Cup. During the toss, New Zealand Women's skipper Sophie Devine stated that they would bat first, considering Dubai's playing conditions.
Sophie Devine revealed that the White Ferns have made a solitary change to their playing XI from the last game, replacing Leigh Kasperek with Fran Jonas.
She said,
"We are gonna have a bat first tonight. We did a good job against them in the first game. The surface might deteriorate. Looking to post a good total on the board. It's a new opposition and we shouldn't get carried away. We know we have to bring our best today in this game. Just one change. Fran Jonas comes in place of Leigh Kasperek."
Fatima Sana Emphasises Capitalising On Past Experience
Meanwhile, Pakistan Women's captain Fatima Sana stated that they would try to replicate their past heroics against the White Ferns. She said,
"Actually we wanted to play according to the Net Run Rate so we have to follow and we are okay to chase. We had a great series there against New Zealand and we beat them so that's a great thing for us. I am replacing Tuba Hassan in the Playing XI."
PAK-W Vs NZ-W: Playing XIs
Pakistan Women Playing XI: Muneeba Ali (wk), Sidra Ameen, Sadaf Shamas, Nida Dar, Fatima Sana (c), Omaima Sohail, Aliya Riaz, Iram Javed, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Syeda Aroob Shah
New Zealand Women Playing XI: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas