Pakistan, Sri Lanka qualify for ICC Women World Cup 2013

Dhaka,  Pakistan and Sri Lanka Tuesday won their vital cross-over matches in International Cricket Council ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2011 WWCQ in Dhaka, Bangladesh and by virtue of doing so have qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2013.

Pakistan Women Cricket Team during Training Session - Reuters File

The two sides will join West Indies & South Africa at the event in 2013 which also features current world champions England, along with Australia, India & New Zealand. Pakistan & South Africa also qualified for ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 by finishing in top four of event. West Indies & Sri Lanka are already qualified for the tournament which will be played in September next year.

Bangladesh & Netherlands will now head to play-offs for ODI status. Hosts will face USA in a bid to gain ODI recognition while The Netherlands will play fellow European ODI side Ireland in a bid to retain ODI status – win or lose, Europe will finish this event with only one ODI women’s side. In ninth/10th play-off, Japan defeated Zimbabwe by six runs in a high scoring match at BKSP 2, securing Ema Kuribayashi’s side ninth place in ICC WWCQ 2011 and its only win of the tournament.

At Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, watched by another fantastic crowd of local support, Sri Lanka took to the field as Bangladesh elected to bat first under bright sunshine. Of most recent meetings between two sides, five in total, Sri Lanka have come out on top all five times and today looked to be no different in showdown between two sides. Sri Lanka’s opening bowler Udeshika Prabhodani had hosts reeling at 13 for three, with departure of key players Ayesha Akhter, Fargana Pinky & Suktara Rahaman.

It was then up to Salma Khatun to lead with captain striking 32 before she was caught by Sherina Ravikumar. Things didn’t get much better for hosts as they managed to make just 100 in less than 50 overs as once again Lanka bowlers continued to hit target.

In reply, Dilani Manodara’s side stumbled in beginning and struggled to secure runs thanks to some tight bowling by hosts. Yashoda Mendis departed early but Inoka Galagedara & Sandamali Dolawatte ensured runs were on board and after their departure it was up to Shashikala Siriwardene to hit side’s winning runs and secure ICC Women’s World Cup qualification for 2013.

At Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium (KSOAS), Sana Mir’s Pakistan made sure runs went on the board to make it a tough task for Helmien Rambaldo’s side when it came to chasing down the target. Dutch were set a mammoth total of 278 after Sana, along with Bismah Maroof, Nida Dar & Javeria Wadood piled on runs for Pakistan to help on their way to qualification for ICC Women’s World Cup 2013.

Javeria’s 67 along with Nida’s half-century were helped by in-form all-rounder Bismah who finished game 66 not out as side displayed some masterstrokes against Dutch pace and spin attack. In reply, The Netherlands were once again undone by spin, with Bismah & Nida combining to take three wickets each while Sadia Yousuf claimed two wickets. Qanita Jalil’s pace took  early wickets of Rambaldo & Miranda Veringmeier. Dutch batting line-up collapsed for 84, with only Denise Hannema & Kerry Anne Tomlinson managing double figures.

In final fixture of day, Japan took on Zimbabwe in 9th/10th play-off at BKSP 2. Neither side had secured a win in tournament ahead of fixture today but it was Japan’s chance with Kuribayashi’s side finishing victors over their African opponents in a tight contest.

Having won toss, Sharne Mayers elected to field first for Zimbabweans and side’s bowling attack took its time to get going, with Japan not losing its first wicket till it had posted 42 runs on board after Mariko Yamamoto made a patient 38. However, Yamamoto departed after she was bowled by Sinikwe Mpofu. Kuribayashi took 98 balls to reach 47, her highest score of tournament. Zimbabwe’s bowlers did a good job with Japan’s lower order, dismissing last five wickets for 27 runs but not before Japan had posted its highest total of the tournament, 153.

In reply, Zimbabwe’s batters were undone by quickness of Japanese and good bowling from Kuribayashi. Captain took one wicket but also caught both Christabel Chatonzwa & Privilledge Charumbira and ran out her counterpart Mayers. Yamamoto also showed her agility by snaffling key middle-order batter Nonhlanhla Nyathi caught and bowled.

As was case against USA, Zimbabwe fell short of its target, although in this case by six runs and succumbed to fifth and final loss in event. Audrey Mazvishaya & Sarah Dambanevana were well placed to score remaining runs but side ran out of overs after losing key wickets early on and victory was there for Japan.

Tomorrow is a rest day, with play resuming on Thursday. Fixtures: Nov. 24
ODI – South Africa v Pakistan (Winner to 1st/2nd play-off, loser to 3rd/4th play-off) – SBNCS
ODI – West Indies v Sri Lanka (Winner to 1st/2nd play-off, loser to 3rd/4th play-off) – KSOAS
ODI – Ireland v Netherlands (winner qualifies for 5th/6th play-off & retains ODI status, loser to 7th/8th play-off) – BKSP 3
Bangladesh v USA (winner qualifies for 5th/6th play-off and gains ODI status, loser to 7th/8th play-off) – BKSP 2

Nov. 26
1st/2nd play-off – SBNCS
3rd/4th play-off – KSOAS
5th/6th play-off – BKSP 2
7th/8th play-off – BKSP 3

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