Pakistan team carry extra burden on slender shoulders

KARACHI - Qualifier Pakistan lost its second warm-up match prior to the start of ICC Women's World Cup when they were defeated by another qualifier South Africa by 75 runs in Sydney two days before the eight nation extravaganza begin March 7. Both Pakistan and South Africa qualified to appear in the main title round after fishing in top two of the qualifying round played in South Africa last year. According to information available here Friday the warm up played at Village Green in Sydney, South Africa batting first totaled 235 for six with Susan Benade top scoring with 62 and Sana Mir taking three for 35. Pakistan in reply managed 160 all out with eight balls to spare.Nain Abedi made 35 for the losers. Pakistan making its second appearance in the world cup lost its first warm up to New Zealand three days ago. In the main world cup competition Pakistan will be face to face against last years runners up India in the opening match. Having in its playing eleven a number of experienced players India are odds on favourite against Pakistani girls who have limited exposure to international cricket. Pakistan while selecting its world cup squad had for some reason left world batting record holder Kiran Baluch behind. After the change of guards at the women's wing of the PCB a number of changes were made in the administrative set up of the wing. The team selected for the world cup was reshuffled and a new team was picked for Sydney. In the meantime Pakistan Women's Cricket Control Association which introduced Pakistan to women's world cricket has alleged that some of the Pakistani girls and officials now in Sydney attended the official world cup dinner in casual clothes ignoring official blazer. In a statement issued here Friday the PWCCA had termed the attitude of the team management as unprofessional. It recalled that when last time the Pakistan team under the PWCCA banner took part in world cup in Pune India, the team was described as "Charming Ambassadors" Pakistan may have lost both the warm ups before the world cup, but they should look up confidently at the group matches where they need just one win to move into the super six leagues. Their have targeted Sri Lanka has not shown any promise in the second warm up played against title holders Australia. The Islanders were bowled out for 54 in 25 overs after Australia posted 284 for seven to win by a big margin of 130 runs. Scores: Village Green, South Africa 235-6, 50 overs (Susan Benade 62, Marizanne Kapp 56, Trisha Chetty 41, Cri-Zelda Brits 29; Sana Mir 3-35) Pakistan 160 all out, 48.4 overs (Nain Abidi 35; Dane van Niekerk 3-31, Sunette Loubser 2-17) South Africa won by 75 runs At Old Kings, India 168-6 in 50 overs (Anjum Chopra 73 not out, Priyanka Chopra 44; Lucy Doolan 2-22, Nicola Browne 2-23) New Zealand 141 in 44 overs (Aimee Mason 39 not out, Suzie Bates 34,; Gouhar Sultana 2-15, Rumeli Dhar 2-28, Priyanka Roy 2-36) India won by 27 runs At Raby Oval, England 210-6, 50 overs (Claire Taylor 68, Beth Morgan 58 retired) West Indies 94 all out, 42.2 overs (Afy Fletcher 24, Stafanie Taylor 20; Holly Colvin 2-6, Laura Marsh 2-13, Anya Shrubsole 2-23) England won by 116 runs At Manly Oval, Australia 284-7, 50 overs (Jodie Fields 59 not out, Alex Blckwell 56 retired, Leah Poulton 49, Jessica Cameron 42, Rene Farrell 23) Sri Lanka 54, 25 overs (Emma Sampson 2-10, Sarah Andrew 2-12, Delissa Kimmince 2-12) Australia won by 230 runs

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