Pakistan, New Zealand gear up for ICC Women's Championship Series

Dubai [UAE], October 29 (ANI): New Zealand is set out to continue winning streak against Pakistan in first away series against their Asian opponents.

Pakistan will host New Zealand for their ICC Women's Championship series from October 31 to November 5, hoping to win their first ODI against the visiting side in the familiar conditions of Sharjah.

New Pakistani captain Bismah Maroof is confident of doing well against New Zealand in the second edition of the ICC Women's Championship, which runs from 2017-2020 on the same format as the previous event with all eight sides - Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan South Africa, Sri Lanka and the Windies - taking on each other in three ODIs.

"Our chances are quite bright. We are geared up and looking forward to gain the maximum out of Sharjah's conditions and beat them for the first time," Maroof said.

"The Kiwis are a strong side but that hasn't mounted pressure on us. We understand why we lagged and couldn't surprise them. We have worked on our weaknesses and consider that every day is a new day in the field - the past is history and the present at hand, we have to focus on that alone," she added.

World Cup 2021 hosts New Zealand and the three other top teams from this championship will gain direct qualification for ICC's pinnacle 50-over event while the remaining four sides will get a second chance through the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier event.

In the ICC Women's Championship, teams get two points for each win, one point for a tie or no-result and no points for a loss.

"We're excited to get back as a group. We have had a bit of time off since the World Cup, which did not go to plan, but it is now about the next four-year cycle and trying to improve as a group. It's the first time we play Pakistan in a series away, so we are really excited to get back with the girls again," said New Zealand captain Suzie Bates.

"We're playing all the games on the same ground, so hopefully we can learn a bit along the way as we go. The heat is going to be the biggest challenge. The top six batters are going to be crucial for us, we need to make sure that we score enough runs and not rely on the lower order," she added.

In the first series of the ICC Women's Championship, the Windies completed a 3-0 triumph over Sri Lanka to notch a full six points, Australia beat England 2-1, while South Africa will play at home against India (February 5 to 10, 2018).

As per the recent changes to Women's International Playing Conditions, which incorporates new MCC Laws, two new balls shall henceforth be used per innings in all ODIs.

In one of the main changes in Twenty20 Internationals, only four fielders will be permitted outside the inner ring during non-powerplay overs. (ANI)