Pakistan Look to Muneeba Ali to Revive Struggling Batting Line-Up Against Rampaging England
As Pakistan prepare to face an in-form England in their next ICC Women’s World Cup fixture, the pressure is mounting on their misfiring batting unit to step up — and much of that responsibility may rest on opener Muneeba Ali.
Pakistan’s campaign has faltered dramatically, with three consecutive losses and batting totals of 129, 159, and 114. Their struggles at the crease have left them languishing in the standings, and if there’s any hope of turning things around, it will start with the top order. So far, only Sidra Amin has managed to register a half-century, doing so twice, while others have struggled to get going on the slow Khettarama surfaces.
Muneeba Ali, seen as one of Pakistan’s brightest batting prospects, has yet to find her rhythm in the tournament. However, her recent form offers a glimmer of hope. She scored 76 and 44 against South Africa in the pre-World Cup series and averaged a strong 44.60 in April’s World Cup Qualifier in Lahore. A return to form from Muneeba could be pivotal in restoring stability to Pakistan’s top order.
“We need early runs, and if Muneeba gets going, it can change the momentum for us,” a source close to the team management said.
England, on the other hand, are flying high. With three wins from three, they are building momentum at just the right time and are strong contenders for a semi-final berth. They’ve dominated their opponents so far, with a potent spin attack led by world No.1 ODI bowler Sophie Ecclestone, who recently dismantled Sri Lanka with a match-winning spell. Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean have also chipped in with six wickets apiece, adding depth to the English bowling line-up.
Nat Sciver-Brunt is another key figure for England, fresh off a masterful World Cup century — her fifth overall and third against Pakistan. Batting with elegance and power, Sciver-Brunt produced one of the tournament’s standout innings at this very venue and now averages a daunting 92.33 against Pakistan.
Interestingly, Muneeba herself has a solid record against England, having scored 47 and 44 in her only two ODIs against them — an encouraging sign for Pakistan heading into what appears to be a lopsided contest on paper.
England have historically dominated this fixture, winning all 13 completed ODIs against Pakistan. The closest Pakistan have come was a 37-run loss.
Despite the disparity in records, England allrounder Alice Capsey insists they’re not underestimating their opponents.
"Pakistan have been involved in some really exciting games of cricket, and they've had teams on the back foot a little bit," Capsey said.
Probable XIs:
Pakistan: Sadaf Shamas, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Natalia Pervaiz, Eyman Fatima, Fatima Sana (capt), Rameen Shamim/Syeda Aroob Shah, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal
England: Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones (wk), Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell
Conditions:
The Khettarama pitch will once again favour spin, and while the northeast monsoon has so far stayed at bay, rain remains a possible disruption.
With England eyeing a fourth consecutive win and Pakistan desperately searching for their first, all eyes will be on how the subcontinent side’s batting – especially Muneeba Ali – handles the pressure.