The national women’s teams of Samoa and the Cook Islands will face off in the 5th Place Playoff of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2025. The game is scheduled for the 13th of September, at 3:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST), at Albert Park 2, Suva.
Samoa, placed in Group A, have registered two wins from three league games, leading up to the knockouts. On the other hand, the Cook Islands, placed in Group B, have suffered three straight losses, struggling to find their footing in the competition.
Squads:
Samoa Women’s Cricket Team
Kolotita Nonu, Leitu Leong, Regina Lili’i, Carol Agafili, Faaiuga Pouta, Taalili Iosefo, Angel Sootaga, Leutu Mataafa, Ailaoa Aoina, Avetia Mapu, Jane Manase, Norah Salima, Olive Lefaga, Tuaoloa Semau
Cook Islands Women’s Cricket Team
Esther Williams, Lily Lamb, Roma Bowers-Fleming, Tailor Maika, Tetiare Mataora, Zamera Ikiua, Daena Kataina, Koitai Mataora, Sonnia Vaia, Aketa Vailoa, Gabby Sullivan, Rachel Aurora, Sofia Samuels, Taiora Elikana
Players to watch out:
Regina Lili’i
The 38-year-old all-rounder, from 20 T20Is, has piled up 482 runs at an average of 34.42, and also registered a fifty. Notably, in 5 bowling innings, she has taken 8 wickets at an economy rate of 4.68. Regina has been a standout on this tour, with bowling returns of 3/3, 1/25, and 2/13, and scored a solid 43 in her most recent outing. She will be relied upon for another all-round effort.
Taalili Iosefo
The 33-year-old pacer, from 36 T20I outings, has picked up 45 wickets at an economy rate of 5.05 and an average of 11.95. She has also been handy with the bat, adding 363 runs from 29 innings, recording the highest of 60*. On this tour, Taalili has impressed with the ball—3/5, 2/28, and 0/17—while struggling for runs. She should be backed to step up her batting efforts.
Tetiare Mataora
The 25-year-old, from 9 T20I innings, has scored 130 runs and also struck 4 wickets, with respective bests of 49* and 2/24. In this campaign, Tetiare followed up her score of 20 with an unbeaten 49 in her subsequent outing, and her bowling returns read 0/10, 0/9, and 1/17. She shows early promise in her career and is relied upon to deliver the goods.
Zamera Ikiua
The 17-year-old all-rounder, in T20Is, from 17 outings, has added 284 runs to the tally, and from 15 bowling innings has struck 12 wickets, with bests of 52* and 3/18. In the tournament so far, Zamera has registered scores of 17, 52*, and 3, alongside bowling figures of 0/14, 1/3, and 2/30. It is hoped she continues in this form, delivering the goods.
Pitch:
Albert Park 1 in Suva, Fiji, is known for its generally balanced nature, favoring both batters and bowlers with fair bounce and consistent playing conditions. Teams playing here can expect a surface that allows for competitive cricket with opportunities for both attacking batting and disciplined bowling.
Weather:
Conditions are set to be pleasant at 25°C, with humidity at 77% possibly adding a little swing for the seamers. The chance of rain is minimal, suggesting an uninterrupted game.
Fantasy playing XI:
Gabby Sullivan, Regina Lili’i, Taalili Iosefo, Tetiare Mataora, Carol Agafili, Koitai Mataora, Sonnia Vaia, Esther Williams, Olive Lefaga, Tuaoloa Semau, Zamera Ikiua
Match details:
Date – September 13, 2025
Time – 3:00 AM IST
Venue – Albert Park 1, Suva
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
