Australia Women, six-time champions, look set to stick with the same XI that has served them well. Their batting centres on Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham and Nicola Carey. In the last match, Mooney hit 74 off 42 balls with nine fours and a six, Gardner made a rapid 58 off 32, and Wareham finished with 41 off just 18 balls.
The bowling group of Kim Garth, Alana King, Sophie Molineux, Annabel Sutherland, Gardner and Wareham offers control and wicket-taking options. Garth took 2/20 from her four overs last time.
Pakistan could change as many as three players, with Natalia Pervaiz, Diana Baig and Eyman Fatima expected to replace Saira Jabeen, Aliya Riaz and Iram Javed. The batting leans on Muneeba Ali, Gull Feroza and captain Fatima Sana. Last time, Muneeba scored 25 off 30, Feroza 23 off 18, Ayesha Zafar 11 off 12 and Sana 10 off 17.
Pakistan’s attack will count on Sana, Sadia Iqbal, Tuba Hassan, Tasmia Rubab and Nashra Sandhu to strike early and slow Australia’s power. Sana was the best of them last time, with 2/18 from four overs. Against such a strong batting order, however, Australia remain the clear pick.
