Pakistan bank on spin and familiarity in bid to rise above past lows

Not for the first time, Pakistan's women's team will find themselves isolated from other competitors at an India-hosted World Cup. The seclusion at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium, though, may not necessarily be the worst thing to happen. Playing all seven group matches at the same venue should provide a crucial edge through accumulated familiarity, particularly handy when they face New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka in the tournament's second half, where potential victories could fuel an ambitious push toward the semifinals.

World Cups have rarely showcased Pakistan at their best. Across the 50-over tournament's history, they have managed just three victories. While a fourth could make headlines, it would make little difference. Muhammad Wasim's bold vision of investing in younger talents will require validation through much more, for which there are early signs of encouragement.

Fatima Sana has grown comfortably into her role as the captain. The batting has found both form and consistency through Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin providing essential support to Pakistan's spin attack, which still remains their biggest strength. Recent home performances - dominant display in the qualifiers and competitive fight against South Africa - would've offered the required confidence.

But all these elements must come together for Pakistan to not only finally enjoy a memorable World Cup campaign, but also to avoid the wooden spoon they've collected at each of the last three editions.

How they qualified:

Pakistan beat all five teams in the home qualifiers to top the table and seal a place for themselves at the world cup. It was a dominant campaign for the hosts with standout all-round performances throughout the tournament. Sidra Amin and Muneeba Ali leading the way with the bat, scoring over 200 runs each - with Aliya Riaz offering stellar support in the middle order. Fatima Sana led the way with the ball, picking up 12 wickets (the second highest in the tournament) with the dependable spin duo of Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal offering solid company and combining to pick 19 wickets.

Squad:

Omaima Sohail, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (C), Eyman Fatima, Aroob Shah, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz, Rameen Shamim, Shaawal Zulfiqar, Sadaf Shamas

While Pakistan's bowling continues to be its strength, especially if the conditions will favour spinners, their top-order has shown greater promise than many times previously. Sidra Amin has been in red-hot form, while Muneeba Ali is finally displaying consistency. The experiment with Omaima Sohail has worked out well, and even Sidra Nawaz showed some promise with the bat in the warm-up game. But they all have to peak together and for a long stretch to make an impact.

Keep an eye on: Sidra Amin

Pakistan's most prolific run-scorer in recent years, Amin remains the pillar around which Pakistan's batting will revolve. Even as most of her centuries have come in vain, her consistency has offered a greater level of confidence for the rest of the batting unit to play freely. In 8 ODIs this year, she has averaged 86.33, including two centuries and four half-centuries, in the recently-concluded home series against South Africa.

Marquee match - vs Bangladesh, October 2

Victories have been rare for Pakistan at the highest stage. In the last three 50-over world cups combined, Pakistan have won only one game (against West Indies in 2022). Their best bet this edition comes against Bangladesh, a team they outplayed convincingly in the qualifiers at home earlier this year. However, don't rule out the possibility of playing in one venue for a long stretch working in their favour. They defeated South Africa recently, and have the potential to puncture some holes to the spirits of Sri Lanka and New Zealand as well. But to reach them, they will have to go past the successive challenges of India, Australia and England - matches that could test them and display the resilience they have at the backend of their campaign. However, for all that to happen, it will be essential for them to set the tone with the opening game itself, against Bangladesh.

Where they finished in 2022

Last, with only one win in seven games

Predicted finish - league stage exit

At the heights of optimism, Pakistan will have to play better than the best cricket they ever have to have hopes of making it past the league stage. Predictably, they would do well to avoid the bottom two spots, which in all likelihood would be a battle between three Asian countries.

Full league state schedule

Oct 2 - vs Bangladesh, Colombo (3:00 PM)

Oct 5 - vs India, Colombo (3:00 PM)

Oct 8 - vs Australia, Colombo (3:00 PM)

Oct 15 - vs England, Colombo (3:00 PM)

Oct 18 - vs New Zealand, Colombo (3:00 PM)

Oct 21 - vs South Africa, Colombo (3:00 PM)

Oct 24 - vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (3:00 PM)