Pakistan aim to go out with heads held high

Pakistan will aim to finish their T20 World Cup campaign on a high when they face Thailand in their final match of the tournament in Sydney on Tuesday (March 3) in a dead rubber with both the teams out of the semifinal contention. While Pakistan stunned West Indies in their opener, they lost their next two matches against England and South Africa to fall out of the competition. There was still a chance for Pakistan but with West Indies losing to England on Sunday (March 1) all their hopes went up in the air.

The middle-order failure and fielding have let Pakistan down in the tournament and come Tuesday against Thailand they would like to improve in those areas to end the tournament on a high. Regular skipper Bismah Maroof was ruled out after she took a thumb injury against England and as a result, the onus is on the others to step up again.

The bowling has been the only positive side for Pakistan in this tournament with Diana Baig, in particular, having five wickets to her name from three games. Her fiery inswingers early on in the power play have troubled the batters throughout this tournament and are expected to make the Thailand batters dance at the Sydney Showground Stadium.

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On the other hand, Thailand have nothing to lose. Making their debut in the tournament, Thailand played in the competition with a smile every time they step on the field, even in their defeats. Led by Sornnarin Tippoch Thailand have given scares to the likes of England and West Indies early on dismissing the openers inside the power plays.

Bowling and fielding have been strong points for Thailand in this tournament with some spirited souls in the ground and it remains to be seen if they can spring a surprise in their last match.

Squads

Pakistan: Muneeba Ali, Javeria Khan (c), Omaima Sohail, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Sidra Nawaz (w), Iram Javed, Aiman Anwer, Diana Baig, Syeda Aroob Shah, Anam Amin, Nahida Khan, Fatima Sana, Sadia Iqbal, Ayesha Naseem.

Thailand: Nattakan Chantam, Nattaya Boochatham, Nannapat Koncharoenkai (w), Naruemol Chaiwai, Sornnarin Tippoch (c), Onnicha Kamchomphu, Chanida Sutthiruang, Wongpaka Liengprasert, Suleeporn Laomi, Ratanaporn Padunglerd, Soraya Lateh, Rosenan Kanoh, Phannita Maya, Thipatcha Puttawong, Suwanan Khiaoto.