In a realistic scenario, this is exactly where New Zealand would have wanted to be heading into their final two group games. Given they came into this World Cup on the back of 10 straight losses in the format, they weren't the favourites to finish top-two in a group featuring Australia and India. And having to face those two teams first up was always going to be a massive challenge. However, they have managed to topple one of those two teams before their games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Even though nothing is guaranteed in this format, New Zealand are expected to come out on top against both these teams. If Australia cripples India's qualification chances on Sunday, the path becomes even more clearer for New Zealand. But for now, the focus is on getting the job done from their end. Sri Lanka have been very poor in this tournament so far, losing all three games quite comfortably. They were absolutely battered in their last game against India as well and that would have dented their confidence big time.

The Asian champions can take solace from the fact that New Zealand put up a shoddy performance with the bat in Sharjah against Australia. Considering the venue has been tough on the batters, Sri Lanka's small hope would rest on their bowlers keeping their opponents quiet.

New Zealand wouldn't worry much about their bowling attack though after dismantling India for just 102 in the first game and picking eight Australian wickets. Amelia Kerr and Rosemary Mair have been amongst the wickets but New Zealand would want runs as well from the former. If they brush aside Sri Lanka and then see Australia losing to India, New Zealand's destiny will still be in their own hands considering they will know exactly what they need in their final fixture to make it through to the last four.

When

: Saturday, October 12 at 2 PM local time, 3.30 PM IST

Where

: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

What to expect

: It's a day game and it's Sharjah! Given the trend, expect the conditions to be on the slower side with the tweakers making a massive impact.

New Zealand:

Fran Jonas came in place of Jess Kerr in the previous game. It will be interesting to see if New Zealand persist with the left-arm spinner given she failed to make an impact against Australia. The conditions might demand another game for her though.

Probable XI

: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Rosemary Mair, Fran Jonas, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson

Sri Lanka:

Already eliminated from the tournament, Sri Lanka really don't have anything to play for. The island nation might hand opportunities to the other members of the squad or just stick with the XI that took the field against India.

Probable XI

: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Ama Kanchana, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoka Ranaweera

Rumesh Ratnayake

"We came here to win the World Cup. We didn't come here to participate. We didn't come here to sort of say, yeah, we'll win two matches and go. But we have lost three. So, we have to salvage ourselves in winning that next match. So that would be our prime objective." - Sri Lanka's head coach

Amelia Kerr

"If we win our next two games, we give ourselves probably the best chance possible. First, you want to win the game. I think that's the key. You don't want to, I guess, go out there thinking you've got to beat them by X amount of runs and then throw the game. So, I think first you've got to win and take it a game at a time." - New Zealand's