As the Women's T20 World Cup approaches, with just over two weeks left, the 10 competing teams are intensifying their preparations. South Africa, last year’s finalists, are currently in Multan for a three-match series against Pakistan, with both teams facing significant challenges before heading to the UAE. Here’s a look at some crucial talking points for these two teams ahead of the big tournament:
Struggles for Consistency
Pakistan’s journey over the last 18 months has been marked by a rotating captaincy. Fatima Sana, the team’s third captain since last year’s T20 World Cup, is set to lead the side for the first time in this series. At 22, the young bowler inherits the challenging task of stabilising a team that has struggled to find consistency, especially in major international events.
Having managed just a single victory in each of the last three T20 World Cups, Pakistan enters the tournament with modest expectations. Their group includes formidable opponents like Australia, India, and an in-form Sri Lankan squad, making the path to the semi-finals an uphill battle. Pakistan’s recent form hasn’t been particularly promising, with nine wins and 14 losses in their last 23 T20Is. However, they have pulled off some noteworthy series wins, defeating South Africa at home and New Zealand away. They will be eyeing a win against New Zealand in the group stage, with any additional victories being a welcome bonus.
Another challenge Pakistan faces lies in their professionalisation efforts. Despite a push for better support systems for women cricketers, significant gaps remain. As recently as this week, it was reported that some players at the training camp didn’t receive daily allowances, affecting team morale ahead of the World Cup. On the field, Pakistan’s primary focus should be on improving their batting, where they have underperformed. Muneeba Ali, with 280 runs in 12 T20Is this year, leads the team in run-scoring. Their bowlers, particularly left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, have been more successful, with Iqbal taking 18 wickets at an average of 14.33.
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt noted that Pakistan's spin-heavy approach would likely be a key strategy, and her team is well-prepared to face it, both in this series and at the World Cup.
South Africa’s Stumbling Form on Home Soil
South Africa’s women's team came heartbreakingly close to securing their first ICC trophy earlier this year, reaching the T20 World Cup final at home. Yet, what should have been a launchpad for further success has turned into a series of missed opportunities. A delayed coaching appointment and a string of poor results mean that the team will head into the World Cup under interim coach Dillon du Preez, with questions surrounding their form.
Since their runner-up finish in February, South Africa has played 18 T20Is, winning just five and losing 10, with three matches abandoned. Their struggles have been evident across multiple series, including losses to Pakistan, Australia, and Sri Lanka, and a historic defeat to Bangladesh in T20I cricket.
For a nation that has reached back-to-back T20 World Cup finals, the hunger for a major trophy is palpable. But fans need to remember that women's cricket has evolved, particularly in India, while Australia and England continue to set the bar high. To compete at that level, South Africa will need something extraordinary.
The good news for South Africa is that their new all-format captain, Laura Wolvaardt, is one of the most talented players in world cricket. She leads from the front, topping the run charts for South Africa this year, with fellow batters Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits not far behind. However, the top-heavy reliance on these players has exposed vulnerabilities lower down the order. Sune Luus, the former captain, has struggled with the bat, averaging below 20 in the last 18 months. This has put extra pressure on all-rounders Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon to deliver middle-order runs.
Another concern for South Africa is their bowling attack, which has not been the same since Shabnim Ismail’s retirement. De Klerk leads the team with eight wickets in nine games this year, but the team will need more from bowlers like Ayabonga Khaka, Tumi Sekhukhune, and young Ayanda Hlubi as they aim to challenge for the World Cup title.
The spin department, meanwhile, has seen the introduction of 18-year-old Seshnie Naidu, who may debut against Pakistan in this series. Wolvaardt commented that Naidu has shown impressive control in the nets and is excited about her potential on the international stage.
Pakistan's Advantage
Wolvaardt is keen to use the upcoming series as a measure of South Africa’s progress since their 3-0 defeat to Pakistan in Karachi last year. She remarked that the series would offer valuable insight into whether the hard work behind the scenes has paid off.
In the previous encounter, South Africa posted competitive scores of 150 in two matches, only to fail to defend them, and then struggled to chase down 151 in the third. Wolvaardt noted that the team had been focusing on finding those extra 10 to 20 runs that could make the difference.
The upcoming games at Multan Stadium, which will host a T20I for the first time, promise to be special, with Wolvaardt reflecting on the unique experience of playing the inaugural international T20 at the venue.
As both teams prepare for the T20 World Cup, this series will be an essential warm-up and a test of progress for these sides looking to make their mark on the global stage.