New Zealand eye vital win ahead of sterner tests

New Zealand began their 2025 Women's World Cup campaign with fixtures against Australia and South Africa. They are also scheduled to finish the league stage with fixtures against India and England. These four opponents were primarily viewed as the challengers for a semifinal spot. The T20 World champions have already lost the first two fixtures and now next week, they will have to take on India and England in fixtures that would likely seal their fate in the competition.

Sandwiched between these four fixtures are the three against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan - three relatively easier opponents New Zealand were expected to brush aside. However, after the win over Bangladesh, the washout against Sri Lanka has come as a significant blow for New Zealand in their semifinal bid. What would be more concerning though is the fact that victory wasn't guaranteed against Sri Lanka either had the run chase not been washed out. The home team posted the highest score at the venue in this year's World Cup and put New Zealand under pressure at the halfway mark before the skies opened up.

That's precisely why New Zealand cannot afford to take anything for granted against Pakistan given how shaky they have been. Despite being winless in the tournament so far, Pakistan did look like causing an upset in their last game when they outplayed England until rain played spoilsport, robbing a finish. It will be interesting to see if they can carry forward that momentum against New Zealand and cause an upset.

When: Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 3 PM local time, 3 PM IST

Where: R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

What to expect: Another slow track that will bring the spinners into play. However, yet again, rain will be the biggest threat.

Team news

New Zealand:Bree Illing came into the XI last game and made an impact by picking up two wickets. But Lea Tahuhu could be in the frame to return tomorrow.

Probable XI: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Bree Illing/Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson

Pakistan:Considering they were on their way to pulling off an upset against England, Pakistan might want to stick to the same combination.

Probable XI: Muneeba Ali, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (c), Sidra Nawaz (wk), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal

What they said:

"They've put some teams in some real tough spots, so I think they had Australia 6 for 60. And then obviously the other night England was 7 for 70. So, their bowling attack is one that we've got to be really wary of. So, they've been impressive." - New Zealand coach Ben Sawyer on the Pakistani outfit