ICC Women's World T20: Everything about India vs Pakistan
Indian eves are high on confidence after they thrashed New Zealand by 34 runs in the opening match of their ICC World T20 campaign. Skipper Harman Kaur smashed a record-breaking ton (103) to help India get off to a strong start. Now her side takes on arch-rivals Pakistan in a crucial Group B encounter. Here's match preview, key stats and TV listing.
Indian women's team still needs to sort some issues
India will be concerned regarding the form of openers Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana. Raj was dropped to number 8 in the opening encounter in a rather strange move, which didn't pay off. She didn't get a chance to bat and also makeshift batswoman Taniya Bhatiya failed to impress. Smriti has been struggling since quite sometime in T20Is and that was evident against NZ.
Pakistan eves need to produce their best game
Pakistan have struggled to cope up against quality teams and their 52-run defeat against Australian women displayed their woes. Pakistan batswomen will not find it easy going against the Indian spinners, who were excellent against New Zealand. Strike bowler Poonam Yadav will be the chief wrecker for Harman and cause problems. Pakistan do not boast of big hitters, which would be an issue.
India will hope to get consecutive victory
Indian eves will look to make it two wins out of two and enhance their chances of qualification. They currently sit on second spot with a NRR of +1.700. Pakistan, on the other hand, are on fifth place with NRR of -2.600.
Stats: India enjoy dominance over Pakistan in T20Is
In the World T20, India and Pakistan have met a total of 5 times. India have won 3 matches. In women's T20I meetings, India have won eight matches to Pakistan two, which signifies their dominance over their rivals. Mithali Raj has the most number of runs in the head-to-head meetings (259). Ekta is the top wicket taker with 10 to her name.
India and Pakistan women's last WT20 meeting
In the last WT20 meeting between the two teams, Pakistan beat India by 2 runs via the D/L method. Batting first India managed just 96/7. In reply, Pakistan were at 77/6 in 16 overs when rain intervened. Pakistan were declared winners via superior run rate.
A look at the squads
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Taniya Bhatia, Ekta Bisht, Dayalan Hemalatha, Mansi Joshi, Veda Krishnamurthy, Anuja Patil, Poonam Yadav, Mithali Raj, Arundhati Reddy, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav. Pakistan: Javeria Khan (captain), Aiman Anwer, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Nida Dar, Sana Mir, Sidra Nawaz, Umaima Sohai
TV listing, Timing and key info
The crucial match will be telecast live on the Star Sports network, besides DD Sports. The match can be streamed online on Hotstar premium. One has to subscribe to watch the same. The match will start at 8:30 PM IST.
