Pakistan will host Sri Lanka in round two of the ICC Women’s Championship in a three-ODI series that starts in Sharjah on Friday, as both sides bid to gain some ground on early pace-setter Australia.
Host Pakistan, currently sitting seventh in the table after losing its first round clash to Australia 3-0 back in August, is likely to call upon 15th placed Javeria Khan, who is the highest ranked batter on either side in the Reliance ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for Batters. Also expected to be seen in action is Nain Abidi (41st) and Nida Dar (60th). Sri Lanka’s highest ranked batter is Shashikala Siriwardene, who is currently in 50th place.
In the Reliance ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for Bowlers, Pakistan bowler Sana Mir is the solitary player on either side in the top 10 and currently sits in seventh place, 26 points behind West Indies’ left arm bowler Shanel Daley. Sri Lanka’s Siriwardene, who featured in her side’s opening round 1-1 draw against South Africa in Colombo in October, currently lies in 19th position on 488 points, with Pakistan’s Qanita Jalil, a further place – and two points behind in 20th, while her team-mate Sadia Yousuf is in 21st position. Udeshika Prabodhani (46th) is the second Sri Lanka bowler inside the top 50 heading into the series.
West Indies all-rounder Stafanie Taylor is in pole position in the Reliance ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for All-roundersand holds a commanding lead over second placed Australian Ellyse Perry.
A series victory for Sri Lanka would see it climb into the top three, above fourth placed England and third placed West Indies.
Looking ahead to the three-match ODI series, Pakistan captain Sana Mir said: “The ICC Women’s Championship is a great initiative for women’s cricket. It has given us more opportunity to express ourselves on a regular basis as cricketers. Our series with Sri Lanka is evenly placed as the venue is new to both sides and both teams have had very close games in the last couple of years. I am happy with the development of my team and the individual players and we are eager to improve our performances, both individually and collectively, and collect as many points as possible from the second round of the Championship.”
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Atapaththu said: “Preparations have gone well in the build up to this series and we are prepared to face an improving Pakistan side in Sharjah. This is a great opportunity for lower ranked teams to play against the top ranked teams and we know that this experience will also help our players develop their skills. It also enables us to promote women’s cricket around the world. Hopefully the ICC Women’s Championship will continue to grow and generate immense success.”
The three ODI matches will take place in Sharjah on 9, 11 and 13 January as part of the seven-round ICC Women’s Championship, which is a qualifying tournament for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017.
Squads
Pakistan (from): Sana Mir (Captain), Nain Abidi, Nida Dar, Kainat Imtiaz, Asmavia Iqbal, Marina Iqbal, Qanita Jalil, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Nahida Khan, Sania Khan, Bismah Maroof, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper), Naila Nazir, Sumaiya Siddiqui, Sadia Yousaf
Sri Lanka (from): Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Chathurani Gunewardena, Ama Kanchana, Sugandhika Kumari, Eshani Lokusuriya, Lasanthi Madushani, Dilani Manodara, Hasini Perera, Chamari Polgampola, Udeshika Prabodhini, Inoka Ranaweera, Maduri Samuddika, H.A.S.D. Siriwardene, Prasadini Weerakkody (wicketkeeper), Sripalee Weerakkody
