India vs Pakistan, Women’s T20 World Cup: Preview, head-to-head, stats, squads

PREVIEW

Searching for a protracted overdue ICC title, India will look to hit the straps of their Women’s T20 World Cup opener in opposition to arch-rivals Pakistan right here on Sunday. An Indo-Pak contest all the time creates pleasure however with India being a a lot superior aspect, the standard of cricket may not meet the excessive expectations.

Having mentioned that, Pakistan had obtained the higher of India their final assembly within the Asia Cup final yr with the latter making too many experiments. In the final 5 years, the gulf between the 2 groups has widened with India difficult the supremacy of Australia and England on a constant foundation. Women’s cricket in Pakistan, however, has stagnated.

With the sport scheduled a day forward of the inaugural Women’s Premier League public sale, there shall be added motivation for the Indian gamers. For some, it might be a distraction.

India are fretting over the health of their skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (shoulder) and Smriti Mandhana (finger) forward of the opening sport. A name shall be taken on their participation after the observe session on Saturday.

“They both are senior players and very important for the team. Even there is a slight doubt over their readiness for the game, we will not risk playing them as it is only the first game of the tournament,” mentioned a BCCI supply.

India come into the World Cup having misplaced the current tri-series last to South Africa, a match they need to have received. They additionally misplaced the warm-up sport to Australia earlier than beating Bangladesh.

India are anticipated to achieve the semifinals of the ICC occasion once more but when they’re to beat the mighty Australia, they might want to up their sport in all departments.

Barring Renuka Singh, the bowling unit doesn’t encourage a whole lot of confidence. Veteran Shikha Pandey is but to select a wicket since her comeback final month and shall be fired as much as present early breakthroughs within the showpiece.

The efficiency of the spinners has additionally been beneath expectations of late.

In the batting division, Harmanpreet and Mandhana want all of the assist. Shafali Verma, recent from main India to the inaugural U-19 World Cup title, shall be eager to show her doubters improper with a constant displaying.

Pressure shall be on Jemimah Rodrigues to carry out as she has not been capable of play an impactful knock since her comeback.

The position of tempo bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar will even be important to India’s possibilities within the match.

Richa Ghosh is among the many few gamers within the crew with the X-factor and she or he can be relied upon closely for large hitting within the demise overs.

On Pakistan’s entrance, Nida Dar would be the participant to be careful for.

Pakistan go into the competitors having a performed a collection in opposition to Australia. They beat Bangladesh of their opening warm-up match earlier than dropping to South Africa.

-PTI

Teams(from):

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur, Anjali Sarvani, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shikha Pandey.

Pakistan: Bismah Maroof (c), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana, Javeria Wadood, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Tuba Hassan.