Pakistan to take on Windies in crucial ODI series

Pakistan is set to host the West Indies in a three match One Dayers, what could be crucial series of the ICC Women’s Championship, which decides the direct qualifiers for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand in 2021.

Pakistan and the Windies are scheduled to play the opening match of their three-ODI series at the Dubai International Stadium with the remaining two scheduled to be played at the ICC Academy in the same vicinity on 7, 9 and 11 February, respectively.

Each match could count towards qualification, as the two teams are separated by just one point. After nine matches each, the Windies is on the fifth position with nine points and Pakistan next on the table with eight.

“This championship is vital, as it determines and affects our future settings and qualification in the World Cup. So, hopefully this series will better our position on the points table. I don't think we have an edge over them with respect to venue. We have played in Sharjah, not in Dubai. The field conditions vary quite a lot. So playing in Dubai in new conditions will be a challenge as well,” said Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof, quoted ICC.

“If we manage to put enough runs on the board, good pressure can be put with our bowling as it had been quite effective in curtailing them in previous matches,” the skipper added.