Photo Credit: Oisin Keniry
Ireland coach Ed Joyce said his side ‘have a few plans in place’ to cope with big-hitter Ayesha Naseem as they take on Pakistan in their second ICC Women’s T20 World Cup group game.
Ayesha was among the standout performers in Pakistan’s seven-wicket defeat against India on Sunday, scoring an unbeaten 43 from 25 deliveries.
Ireland, who are featuring in their first World Cup since 2018, now travel to Cape Town to play Salim Jaffar’s side, who they defeated 2-1 in November’s T20I series between the sides.
On the threat of Naseem, Joyce said, “She is a huge player for Pakistan.
“We know she hit very well straight down the ground and we have to avoid giving her width so that she can free her arms.
“We have a few plans in place but it is whether they actually come off and whether you take the catches that are given.
“When she hits the ball, it tends to go a long way in the air or very hard, so I think we need to focus on that when we’re doing our fielding practice.”
Ireland were beaten by England in their opening group game on Monday, bowled out for 105 after losing their last eight wickets for just 25.
England’s spin trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn and Charlie Dean took eight wickets between them and Joyce is aware they will have to improve against Pakistan’s slow bowlers.
“We could have played the spinners better so that’s something we’re talking about and focusing on for tomorrow,” Joyce said.
“They are a good team. It will be a good, competitive game and there were some things in the game yesterday that we can take confidence from as well.
Ireland have a potent spinner of their own in their armoury, with Cara Murray looking to build on her excellent figures of three for 15 against England.
“That’s the most consistent I’ve seen her and to do it on the biggest stage under huge pressure against a team like that was so impressive,” Joyce added.
“We definitely want to go out there and win some games as well so it’s not just about the way we want to play.
“We would be pretty disappointed over the next three games if we don’t get that first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup win.”
Pakistan are also looking to claim their first win of the tournament having run India close on Sunday.
Pakistan were in contention for victory with India needing 28 from the final three overs but Jemima Rodrigues guided her side to a seven-wicket victory.
Left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu said, “We just lost in the last five overs (against India).
“We just need to stick to our plans for a longer period of time, no extraordinary things.
“It is difficult. We have played against them in November and they are a good side in T20.
“They are batting well in this tournament too so we just need to stick to our plans.”
Name of Author: ICC
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global governing body for cricket, founded in 1909 as the Imperial Cricket Conference. Renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, it became the ICC in 1987. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, the ICC has 108 member nations.
