The West Indies unite for another World Event. The Women's Team like the Men's side has a habit of staying silent during bilateral before springing a surprise in the big tournaments. West Indies has a really good T20 record and they also have some exciting players in the side. South Africa will be feeling a little less comfortable. While they do have a good set of players they are in a slight transition phase themselves and they will be hoping to see somebody step up.

SA-W vs WI-W Match Details

Date: October 4th, 2024

Time: 3:30 PM IST

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium

SA-W vs WI-W Weather Report

A hot evening with dew is expected.

SA-W vs WI-W Pitch Report

Dubai is known to have bigger boundaries than Sharjah. Dew too is unlikely to play a factor with the game starting early. There will be turn and batting could get tough which will keep sides looking to bat first happy.

SA-W vs WI-W Predicted Playing XI

SA-W Playing XI

Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine De Klerk, Sinola Jafta, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Shekhukhune, Nonkululeko Mlaba

WI Playing XI

Stafanie Taylor, Hayley Mathews, Deandre Dottin, Aaliyah Alleyne, Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Qiana Joseph, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shamilia Connell, Karishma Ramharack

SA-W vs WI-W Key Players

Laura Wolvaardt

Laura Wolvaardt is easily one of the best openers going around today. With slow pitches the opener becomes all the more important as they get a hard ball to face and will want to make the most of it. Laura will be looking to do the same as she gears up for another huge event.

Deandre Dottin

Deandre Dottin is back. The World Boss makes her way to the World Cup after a shock retirement and West Indies will be very happy to have her back. She is a package which delivers with bat, ball and is very athletic making her a really useful player.

See Also: Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Ranking all ten participating teams based on their final squads (cricketwinner.com)

SA-W vs WI-W Match Tips

Both South Africa and West Indies can be pretty dangerous on their day. West Indies though will back themselves a little more with the experience on their side.

Match Prediction: West Indies Will Win the Match

Chamari Athapaththu’s calm half-century helped Sri Lanka clinch a thrilling win over Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup semifinal. Sri Lanka chased 141, winning with just one ball left, and now face India in the final.

Sri Lanka’s steady play in the middle overs was crucial. While Pakistan faltered after a strong start, Sri Lanka recovered from early jitters, scoring just enough to cross the finish line despite losing wickets late in the game.

Pakistan innings

Powerplay: Openers set the stage

Pakistan’s openers started slow but picked up pace. Gull Feroza hit three boundaries in the third over, and Muneeba Ali followed with consecutive fours off Athapaththu. They reached 45 runs in the powerplay.

Middle overs: Sri Lanka strikes back

Sri Lanka fought back around the halfway mark. Udeshika Prabodhani broke the opening stand, dismissing both set openers in one over. Kavisha Dilhari then took two more wickets in another over.

Final overs: A late surge

Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz rallied in the last overs. Despite a cautious 16th over, they realized the need for quick runs. Fatima hit three boundaries, and Aliya cleared the ropes once, helping Pakistan post a competitive 140.

Sri Lanka chase

Powerplay: Early setback

Sri Lanka’s start was shaky. Vishmi Gunaratne got out for a duck in the first over, and Harshitha Madavi, despite hitting two fours, was dismissed for 12. Athapaththu had to anchor the innings.

Middle overs: Chamari takes control

Athapaththu found her rhythm and hit boundaries regularly, pushing the score to 69 at the halfway mark. Though Sadia Iqbal took two quick wickets, Athapaththu’s presence kept Sri Lanka in the hunt. She reached her fifty and brought the target down to 35 off 30 balls.

Final overs: A nail-biting finish

Athapaththu’s slog sweep over midwicket brought the target down to 28 from 26 balls. She hit another boundary, but Pakistan fought back with her wicket and a run-out in the next over. Under pressure, Sugandika Kumari hit two crucial boundaries in the penultimate over, leaving 3 runs needed off 6 balls. Despite Nida Dar’s efforts, Sri Lanka sealed the win in the last over.

Player of the Match (Chamari Athapaththu)

“The game was very tight. Unfortunately I got out early, I had to finish the game. The girls finished the game in style. Hope my girls will continue this performance in the final as well. Good track for batting, positive intent is important. We lost a couple of wickets early, but stuck to our plan. I took my time because we lost wickets early. I am a senior batter, so I changed my batting style. I tried to finish the game but got out. Finals – very important game, but we don’t want to take pressure. It is just one game, we want to enjoy the moment.” She then goes on to thank the crowd.

Sri Lanka put on a dominant display, beating Thailand by ten wickets in their final group match in Dambulla on Wednesday (July 24). They will now face Pakistan in the second semi-final on Friday, with India and Bangladesh playing in the first semi-final earlier the same day.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers were relentless, restricting Thailand to under 100 runs. Nannapat Koncharoenkai 47* was the only Thai batter to resist, scoring more than half of her team’s total. Kavisha Dilhari 2-13 led a flawless bowling performance, and Sri Lanka’s openers chased down the target with 51 balls to spare. Chamari Athapaththu 49* and Vishmi Gunaratne 39* easily crossed the finish line, keeping Sri Lanka’s unbeaten streak intact.

Sri Lanka dominated as expected, proving too strong for the inexperienced Thailand team. Despite decent batting conditions, Thailand struggled against Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling. Their batting never gained momentum, and their bowlers couldn’t make an impact with such a low score to defend.

Thailand’s innings

Powerplay: Rough start

Thailand had a tough start, losing Nattaya Boochatham to Achini Kulasuriya’s first ball delivery. Inoshi Priyadarshani then dismissed Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, who hit three boundaries in her short innings. Thailand managed a slow Powerplay against accurate bowling.

Middle overs: Innings falls apart

Things got worse for Thailand as Sri Lanka’s spinners tightened their grip. Thailand lacked intent, except for Koncharoenkai, who fought alone. With a run rate under three per over, their innings collapsed beyond recovery. Dilhari took two wickets, while Athapaththu and Sugandika Kumari took one each.

Death overs: Decent finish

Thailand’s best phase came at the end, showing urgency in the last five overs. Though it didn’t lift them to a competitive total, they managed some runs. Koncharoenkai hit a few boundaries, and her partners chipped in. The final over yielded 13 runs, giving Thailand a slight morale boost despite the low total.

Sri Lanka’s chase

Powerplay: Steady start

With a low target, Athapaththu and Gunaratne took their time in the first six overs. They played carefully, without scoreboard pressure, yet Athapaththu showed her power with two big sixes. Gunaratne also found the boundary a few times, ensuring an easy start for Sri Lanka.

Middle overs: Easy finish

As the overs passed, the openers became more aggressive. Athapaththu hit two more sixes, and Gunaratne cleared the ropes once. Runs flowed smoothly, and though the final blow wasn’t a six, the duo finished the job with more than eight overs to spare. This win capped a perfect group stage for Sri Lanka, flawless in all three games.

Player of the Match: Athapaththu for her bristling knock and 1-15.

“Enjoying my cricket, don’t want to take too much risk. Just wanna play my natural game. Approach was see-ball-hit-ball. I enjoy hitting sixes because I work hard doing power hitting in the nets, so I continue it in the middle. I didn’t think of my individual landmark, was just thinking of winning the game [when asked about the bye they took to finish the game]. We wanna take it one game at a time, just be serious but at the same time not take too much pressure on my shoulders.”

Chamari Athapaththu performance in tournament

Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka led the run charts with an impressive 180 runs from three matches at a striking rate of 155.17, showcasing her power-hitting prowess with 17 fours and 12 sixes. Athapaththu’s aggressive approach and consistent run scoring played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s successful campaign, making her the most impactful player of the tournament and a key driver of her team’s success.

Athapaththu smashed an unbeaten 119* off just 69 balls, including 14 boundaries and seven sixes against Malaysia. Her knock of 119 is now her highest individual score in the shortest format, besting her 113 against Australia in North Sydney back in 2019

In the 11th match of Group B, Bangladesh Women defeated Malaysia Women by a convincing margin of 114 runs. The match took place at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

Bangladesh showcased their batting power with impressive performances from Murshida Khatun and captain Nigar Sultana, leading to a dominant 114 run victory over Malaysia in the Asia Cup on Wednesday (July 24). Murshida scored 80 runs off 59 balls, while Sultana remained unbeaten with 62 runs off 37 balls, setting a formidable total of 191/2. Malaysia struggled in response, managing only 77/8.

Bangladesh’s complete control

Bangladesh innings

Strong start: Dilara’s early impact

Malaysia managed to keep Bangladesh’s scoring in check for the first three overs, despite a couple of boundaries from Murshida. Dilara Akter initially took her time, scoring 5 runs from her first seven balls, but then hit a four off Suabika Manivannan. The tempo picked up significantly in the fifth over when Dilara hit a six and two fours off Aisya Eleesa, contributing to a 15 run over. Murshida added another boundary in the final over of the powerplay, giving Bangladesh a solid start.

Building the base: Murshida and Sultana shine

After a boundary each in the seventh over, Dilara was dismissed by Mahirah Izzati Ismail. Murshida and Sultana then formed a strong partnership, regularly hitting boundaries and targeting Ismail. The 14th over saw them strike three fours, and Murshida reached her fifty off 45 balls. Elsa Hunter bowled tightly, conceding only 17 runs in her three overs during this phase.

Big finish: Sultana’s late blitz

Murshida hit a four off Winifred Duraisingam, followed by a six from Sultana in the same over. Murshida reached her highest T20I score with a six off Hunter but was soon dismissed. Sultana then took over, hitting a flurry of boundaries off Suabika, including two fours and a six in the final over, to complete her fifty off 34 balls. Bangladesh posted their second-highest total in women’s T20Is.

Malaysia innings

Early struggles: Bangladesh’s tight bowling

Jahanara Alam gave Bangladesh an early breakthrough by dismissing Ainna Hamizah Hashim for a duck. Elsa Hunter managed four boundaries in the first five overs, but Wan Julia struggled, adding pressure. Hunter was eventually dismissed by Nahida Akter in the sixth over.

Middle overs: Regular wickets halt Malaysia

Despite not losing any wickets from overs 6-10, Malaysia’s scoring rate remained low. Wan Julia was dismissed by Ritu Moni for 11 runs, and Duraisingam fell to Nahida for 8 runs. Shorna Akter took Aina Najwa’s wicket in the 15th over, leaving Malaysia five down.

Death overs: Bangladesh secures victory

Bangladesh’s dominance continued as Malaysia only managed to avoid being bowled out, finishing their innings well short of the target. Rabeya Khan and Sabikun Nahar took wickets, contributing to a comprehensive win for Bangladesh, and sealing Malaysia’s exit from the tournament with their third consecutive defeat.

Player of the Match (Murshida Khatun)

Murshida Khatun was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance, scoring 80 runs off 59 balls. Her powerful batting laid the foundation for Bangladesh’s big total and played a key role in their victory.

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana

“Definitely, a win always feel good. The way we batted, was wonderful. Consistency by batters has been pleasing, Murshida has done well, with ball, Nahida and Rabeya – very happy. We’re looking forward to play good cricket, execute game plans. I have belief in my team, I know how capable they are. Ball was coming on nicely.”

With Gull Feroza’s back to back half centuries, Pakistan clinched a dominant 10 wicket win over UAE in the final Group A match of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 in Dambulla. Pakistan’s bowlers, including Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Tuba Hassan, each took two wickets to limit UAE to 103 runs, despite Theertha Satish’s solid 40.

Pakistan’s openers chased down the target in just 14.1 overs, boosting their net run rate from +0.497 to 1.158. Unless Nepal pulls off a huge upset against India later, Pakistan is likely to move on to the knockout stages.

UAE innings

Slow start in powerplay

UAE captain Esha Oza started strong with a boundary on her first ball, but the openers faced many dot balls, which hurt their progress. They did manage a boundary each over, except in Sadia Iqbal’s two overs, but also had 25 dot balls, which worked in Pakistan’s favor.

Pakistan bowlers shine in middle overs

UAE increased their scoring rate to 6 runs per over during the middle overs, but frequent wickets slowed their progress. Nashra Sandhu took two quick wickets, including UAE’s captain. Skipper Nida Dar and leg-spinner Tuba Hassan also picked up crucial wickets, including a key dismissal of UAE’s opener, who missed a half-century by 10 runs.

More wickets in the final overs

UAE’s attempt to accelerate in the final overs resulted in more wickets falling. Sadia Iqbal removed both set batters in her last two overs, ending with figures of 2-11. New batter Samaira Dharnidharka narrowly escaped a run-out but was out on the next ball, giving Tuba her second wicket. A few singles in the final over pushed UAE’s total to 103, but it was not enough to challenge Pakistan.

Pakistan innings

Early luck in powerplay

Pakistan’s openers enjoyed some luck. Feroza was dropped on the first ball but capitalized with frequent boundaries. Mubeena Ali, her opening partner, also survived a questionable stumping call, with the TV umpire ruling it not out despite clear evidence of her feet being outside the crease.

Feroza’s Fifty seals the win

Feroza’s confidence from her previous innings showed as she scored another fifty, finishing with 62 not out off 55 balls. Mubeena Ali supported with a solid 37 not out from 30 balls. Mubeena hit the winning runs on the first ball of the 15th over, securing the victory for Pakistan.

Player of the Match (Gul Feroza):

“Just enjoying my game. The plan is to get success. I take confidence [from the fifty in the last game]. It was an easy score, so I tried my level best.”

Bangladesh finally won a T20I match after losing 10 in a row, earning their first two points in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dambulla. They bounced back from their opening game loss to Sri Lanka by beating Thailand by seven wickets, keeping their hopes for a semi-final spot alive.

Legspinner Rabeya Khan took four wickets, and pace-bowler Ritu Moni grabbed two, helping Bangladesh limit Thailand to 96 for 9 on a spin-friendly pitch. Nattaya Boochatham was Thailand’s top scorer with 40 runs off 41 balls, but it wasn’t enough. In reply, Murshida Khatun, who missed the first game, scored 50 runs to lead Bangladesh to victory in 17.3 overs, marking their first win of the year.

Sri Lanka leads Group B with four points after two matches and has secured a semi-final spot due to a higher net run rate from a big win over Malaysia earlier in the day. Bangladesh and Thailand each have two points, and their final group games on Wednesday will determine which team moves on to the knockouts.

Rabeya, Moni Dominate Thailand

Rabeya’s Early Strikes

Rabeya started her first over with a bang, taking out Suwanchonrathi and Koncharoenkai without letting them score. Bangladesh quickly noticed Thailand struggled with full-length deliveries, so they kept tossing up the balls. The batters couldn’t handle the turn, drift, and bounce from the spinners.

Moni’s Impact

At the halfway mark, Nigar Sultana handed the ball to Moni, the right-arm seamer. She made an immediate impact, hitting the hard length and swinging the ball back to remove Phannita Maya, leaving Thailand at 38 for 3. In her next over, Moni slowed down her pace to bowl out Chanida Sutthiruang for 8 runs from 10 balls.

Rabeya’s Return

Rabeya returned after the 13th over, picking up a wicket in both her third and fourth overs. She went fuller, and Suwanan Khiaoto couldn’t read her wrong’un, getting bowled out. Rabeya also cleaned up Boochatham for 40 runs off 41 balls in the 17th over with a full-length delivery.

Jesmin’s Debut Performance

Debutant left-arm spinner Sabikun Nahar Jesmin, after conceding 23 runs in her first three overs, took two wickets in two deliveries in her final over, further sinking Thailand.

Suwanchonrathi’s Struggle

Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, usually Thailand’s No.11 player, was promoted to open with Boochatham. This decision came after Nannapat Koncharoenkai top-scored with 40 against Malaysia. However, the move failed as Suwanchonrathi struggled, taking 12 balls to score and eventually falling for 6 runs off 20 balls in the seventh over. Thailand managed only 25 runs in the powerplay.

Murshida’s Runs

Murshida’s Comeback

Bangladesh’s last T20I win before Monday was against South Africa in December 2023, with Murshida scoring an unbeaten 62. However, in the following seven months, the team struggled with their batting, often collapsing around Sultana. They used seven different players in the top three positions in the last three series, trying to find a winning combination before the home World Cup in October.

On Monday, Bangladesh made three changes to their XI. One of these changes was bringing in Murshida, and she made it count. She took ten balls to get off the mark but then kept the score ticking.

Despite a mix-up with Dilara Akter in the fifth over, which led to Akter’s run out, Murshida settled down. She hit eight fours in her 55-ball stay, scoring her fourth half-century in T20Is. Along with Ishma, she put together a 60-run stand for the second wicket, dulling Thailand’s attack.

Bangladesh lost two wickets late in the game, but this time, they didn’t need Sultana to rescue them.

Player of the Match (Rabeya Khan)

 “It feels great to have done well. The ball came out very well. The second wicket was my favourite. I kept it up and despite the turn managed to hit the wicket.”

Vishmi Gunaratne’s impressive half-century guided Sri Lanka to a comfortable 7 wicket victory over Bangladesh in Dambulla. Sri Lanka chased down the modest target of 112 runs with 17 balls remaining, showcasing their batting strength. Despite early setbacks, Sri Lanka maintained control throughout the game and achieved a smooth win.

Bangladesh’s early struggles

Bangladesh faced a tough start, losing four crucial wickets during the powerplay. This early collapse set them back significantly, forcing them to play catch up for the rest of the match. Although they made some progress in the middle overs and had a spirited finish, it wasn’t sufficient to alter the outcome. Sri Lanka, despite losing their captain during the innings, managed to handle the modest target with ease.

Bangladesh’s performance

Early wickets in Powerplay

Bangladesh began their innings with a boundary from Dilare Akter but quickly fell into trouble. Udeshika Prabodhani and Inoshi Priyadharshini took control with early breakthroughs, dismissing four top order batsmen. The team struggled as they lost key players like Ishma Tanjim and Rubya Haider without scoring, putting them on the back foot early in the match.

Sultana’s fight back in middle overs

Nigar Sultana played aggressively after the powerplay, scoring boundaries and attempting to build a stable innings. Her effort was crucial as Bangladesh sought to recover from the early losses. Chamari Athapaththu’s key wicket of Shorifa Khatun in the 11th over slowed down Bangladesh’s progress and allowed Sri Lanka to regain control of the match.

Sultana and Shorna finish strong in death overs

In the final overs, Sultana and Shorna Akter provided a late surge for Bangladesh. Shorna hit three consecutive boundaries in the 18th over, helping Bangladesh surpass the 100-run mark. Nigar Sultana continued the momentum with boundaries in the last over, but their late efforts were not enough to secure a win.

Sri Lanka’s Performance

Athapaththu falls after a solid start in powerplay

Sri Lanka’s innings started slowly, but Chamari Athapaththu made a significant impact with a six and a boundary, signaling a strong chase. Despite a steady start, Athapaththu was dismissed in the last over of the powerplay, but the damage was already done. Her contribution provided a solid foundation for the chase.

Gunaratne and Samarawickrama drive the chase in middle overs

Sri Lanka’s chase was well-managed by Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama. The pair combined effectively, with Gunaratne scoring a half-century before being dismissed. Their partnership added 54 runs for the second wicket, keeping Sri Lanka on track to chase down the target comfortably. Gunaratne’s aggressive batting, especially against Sultana Khatun, was pivotal in controlling the chase.

Samarawickrama seals the Win in death overs

As Sri Lanka approached victory, Harshitha Samarawickrama took charge in the 17th over, hitting several boundaries and accelerating the chase. Although Bangladesh managed to get her out for 33, the game was already in Sri Lanka’s favor. Dilhari’s boundary in the final over sealed the win for Sri Lanka, capping off a successful chase.

Player of the Match (Vishmi Gunaratne)

“I am enjoying this year. This one makes more special because my family is here. I would like to thank my parents, sister. Enjoyed batting with my captain. Pitch is good for batting and easy to chase down the score. I had to work on my reverse sweep. Moving forward, I want to get this right.”

Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 group B points table:

What a comeback for Thailand as they kick off their Asia Cup campaign with a 22-run win in Dambulla. Malaysia was cruising at 83 for 1, on the brink of their first win over Thailand in T20s. But despite some sloppy fielding, Kamchomphu and the bowlers turned the game around, causing Malaysia to lose seven wickets for just 24 runs.

Putthawong made history as the youngest captain to win a match in the Asia Cup. Julia scored a fifty and held on, but got no support from the other end. Hunter’s wicket in the 13th over was the turning point.

Thailand’s innings

Powerplay: positive start despite early wickets

Nattaya Boochatham’s three boundaries off Ainna Hamizah Hashim set the tone for Thailand. Despite losing their openers, Nannaphat Chaihan and Boochatham, early, Thailand remained aggressive in the first six overs. Nannapat Koncharoenkai and Phannita Maya’s boundaries helped Thailand reach 41/2 after five overs.

Middle overs: Ismail’s key strikes

Mahirah Izzati Ismail’s spell was crucial for Malaysia, as she took key wickets and kept the scoring in check. Koncharoenkai and Maya hit boundaries, but Ismail dismissed both Koncharoenkai and Chanida Sutthiruang, leaving Thailand at 95/5 in the 14th over.

Death overs: Thailand post a defendable total

With limited batting resources left, Thailand managed to reach a challenging total. Suwanan Khiaoto and Rosenan Kanoh took singles and twos regularly, with Kanoh hitting a crucial boundary, helping Thailand finish with over 130 runs.

Malaysia’s innings

Powerplay: steady start by openers

Wan Julia hit three boundaries in the first three overs, while Winifred Duraisingam also added a four. Although the start was watchful, Malaysia managed to keep up a decent run rate, reaching 36/0 in six overs.

Middle overs: pressure from Thailand

Malaysia’s openers rotated the strike but slowed down the scoring, allowing Thailand to apply pressure. After reaching 68, Duraisingam was bowled by Onnicha Kamchomphu, and Malaysia lost quick wickets. Despite a few boundaries, they needed 43 runs in the last five overs.

Death overs: wickets halt Malaysia’s chase

With a high required run rate, Malaysia succumbed to the pressure. Hashim’s run out and Julia’s dismissal after her fifty made it worse for Malaysia, as they kept losing wickets and ended up far from the target.

Player of the match (Nannapat Koncharoenkai):

“Very happy with the win. It was the first time the new captain was on board, First game is always exciting but there was also some anxiety, that’s why we saw some sloppy fielding. We have been pratcising for tough situations like today. “

Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 points table

BCCI has revealed India Women’s squad for the Asia Cup 2024, with Harmanpreet Kaur leading a strong team of 15 players in Sri Lanka. The tournament kicks off on July 19th, and India will face Pakistan in their second match on the opening day. Smriti Mandhana is the vice-captain and will play a crucial role alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur in batting.

Key players like Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh will anchor our batting lineup, supported by our captain and vice-captain. India boasts a formidable lineup with Uma Chetry as the second wicketkeeper, and pacers Renuka Singh Thakur, Pooja Vastrakar, and Arundhati Reddy in the squad.

Asha Sobhana, Shreyanka Patil, and Radha Yadav form our spin-bowling strength, while reserves Shweta Sehrawat, Saika Ishaque, Tanuja Kanwer, and Meghna Singh complete our squad.

India, as reigning champions, will compete in Group A alongside U.A.E, Nepal, and Pakistan, while Group B will feature Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Thailand. All matches are scheduled to take place in Dambulla.

India’s squad for Women’s T20 Asia Cup

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (WK), Uma Chetry (WK), Renuka Singh Thakur, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav.

Traveling reserves: Shweta Sehrawat, Tanuja Kanwer, Saika Ishaque, Meghna Singh

Team India fixtures