Pakistan batsman Omaima Sohail on Friday expressed optimism about reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 ahead of the match against New Zealand.
The Green Shirts have played four matches in the ongoing tournament, losing three in a row and their fourth match was abandoned due to rain.
Pakistan started their Women’s World Cup campaign with a seven-wicket loss to Bangladesh.
The national team was defeated by arch-rivals India by 88 runs in the second match, while Australia triumphed over them by 107 runs in the third.
Pakistan’s match against England was abandoned, leaving them a solitary point and at the bottom of the standings.
The Green Shirts will now have to win all three of their remaining matches against New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka respectively, in addition to hoping that certain results will go in their favor to earn a miraculous entry into the semi-finals.
Ahead of their must-win match against former champions New Zealand, Omaima said they were chasing the chance to qualify for the semi-finals by winning their remaining matches.
During the pre-match press conference at the R Premadasa Stadium, the opening batsman claimed the side was ‘not relaxed’ and would like to win all the remaining matches.
“We are not relaxed at all. We have a chance to go [to the] semi-finals if we win the matches, like three matches,” said Omaima.
“So maybe the scenario is open, so maybe we win the three games so we have a chance in the semi-finals.”
Omaima, who scored an unbeaten 19 off as many deliveries in the run chase against England, stressed the need for the batsmen to step up for the crucial match as she said she was busy playing the new ball.
“I think the main challenge is to open and play the new ball. When you see the matches, they are sewing and the pitch is [helping] seam. “I’m trying to play the new ball and work on it,” she said.
