Pak hope for turnaround

Cuttack: Handed a morale-shattering defeat by the former champions Australia in their tournament opener, Pakistan will have to regroup themselves quickly to put up an inspired show against last year's runners-up New Zealand in the ICC Women's World Cup, here on Sunday.

The Sana Mir-led Pakistani side was skittled out for a paltry 84 in 33.2 overs by Australia while chasing a gettable target of 176 in 50 overs at the Barabati Stadium.

Pakistan's pace and spin duo of Asmavia Iqbal and Sadia Yousuf did well to restrict a formidable outfit like Australia well under 200 runs but their batting order crumbled as only two batsmen had scores in double figures.

Pakistan failed to build on partnerships which hurt the team chase badly against the mighty Aussies and this is one area where they need to improve quickly if they fancy their chances of advancing to the Super Six stage of the eight-nation tournament.

Mir, who has the experience of playing in 53 ODIs, will have to lead from the front to inspire confidence in others while Nain Fatima Abidi, Bismah Maroof and Javeria Khan will have to shoulder the middle-order responsibility.

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