In the match 19th of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2025, New Zealand veteran Suzie Bates took a sharp catch to dismiss Muneeba Ali, the Pakistan left-handed opener, who was looking in good form
at the R Premadasa in Colombo. In the eighth over of the Pakistan innings, right-arm pacer Jess Kerr bowled a short ball away from Muneeba Ali, which she middled with a vengeance towards the mid-wicket region, expecting yet another four in her innings.
But to the surprise of many in the stadium, including Suzie Bates herself, who managed to grab hold of the fiercely hit ball towards her left with both hands before keeping hold of it in her left hand and celebrated it with a lot of joy on her face. On the other hand, Muneeba Ali was left bitterly disappointed as she had to walk back to the pavilion after scoring 22 off 26 with four fours to her name after being put in by New Zealand captain Sophie Devine.
Watch the video here:
After the fall of Muneeba Ali’s wicket in the first powerplay stage, the scoring rate of Pakistan fell away drastically before rain made its way at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo with the team reeling at 52/3 in 12.2 overs. Following the rain delay lasting for the better part of two hours, the Pakistan batting lineup resumed their innings, and as of this writing, they have reached 92/5 in 25 overs with New Zealand in complete control of the contest.
And then, the rains arrived at the venue once again with Aliya Riaz (28* off 52) and Sidra Nawaz (6* off 15) at the crease for Pakistan.
Below are the playing XIs of New Zealand and Pakistan for their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 clash:
New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Lea Tahuhu
Pakistan: Omaima Sohail, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Fatima Sana (c), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal
