Sent crashing out of the ICC Women’s World Cup by Sri Lanka, India would seek to restore some pride when it takes on Pakistan in the classification match for seventh and eighth places here on Thursday, says a report in The Hindu, stating that the humiliating 138-run defeat against Sri Lanka also meant that India will now have to go through the qualifiers to feature in the next edition of the World Cup four years later.
“The collective failure of the top order in the last two matches even in home conditions has hurt the team badly and India will need to regroup quickly to prevent an equally demoralised Pakistan emerging victorious. The pressure will be on the Indians who have been hit hard by a sudden slump in form of their key batswomen after a comfortable 105-run win against the West Indies in the tournament opener and the inexperienced bowling attack has only compounded the misery for the hosts,” says the report, adding that both India and Pakistan have several issues to address leading up to the game at the Barabati Stadium.
While India has struggled with the indifferent form of its bowlers, Pakistan has a lot to answer in the batting department.
Meanwhile a report in The Express Tribune says that with India finishing at the bottom in group A, the traditional rivals will meet at the Barabati Stadium with each trying to avoid the last-place in the tournament. According to Pakistan team manager Ayesha Ashar, the fixture holds a lot of importance for the national side.
“Defeating India will ensure a positive end,” Ayesha told The Express Tribune from Cuttack. “It’s a battle that will determine the rankings, so it is very important for us and we will go all-out to overcome them.”
However, she admitted that beating India will not be an easy task.
“They are one of the best in the business. India started as favourites of the tournament because they have a balanced side. We will have to work very hard and have to show a lot of improvement to beat them.
“Our batting remains a worry. If the batters manage to give an improved show then we’ll stand a good chance to beat India.”