In highly anticipated clash, India will face arch-rival Pakistan in Women’s Asia Cup tomorrow at 2 PM.
A total of eight teams competing with each other are gearing up for the upcoming T20 World Cup in October, 2024.
India led by Harmanpreet Kaur, has been on rise in this short format having won three out of four times in the T20 version and each of the four times in 50-overs format. Plus, records display India in shining light in past, beating Bangladesh in last edition in 2022 and wining seventeen matches out of twenty in T20.
Three things in prerogative of India are Smriti Mandhana's rich form with the bat, India coming off a 1-1 draw against South Africa earlier this month, and India’s stellar performance in recent outings to clinch Group A clash here on this Cup. This teaming up with India’s stellar performance against Pakistan by wining eleven matches out of fourteen all ensures a positive outcome.
With Radha Yadav's successful return to the mix of spinners and India pacer Pooja Vastrakar's eight wickets across three outings against South Africa is encouraging for the upcoming match. The spin attack also includes Deepti Sharma, Sajeevan Sajana and the sprightly Shreyanka Patil.
Pakistan on the other hand has retained Nida Dar as skipper for the Asia Cup, the squad has undergone significant overhaul since the debacle in England.
Three players, Iram Javed, Omaima Sohail, Syeda Aroob Shah, who have not played any matches so far this year, were included with the uncapped Tasmia Rubab while six others were dropped.
Also placed in Group A are Nepal and the United Arab Emirates who will face off here earlier in the day at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. The top two teams from the group will play in the semifinals.
While Nepal is returning to the competition for the first time since 2016 but, UAE was last seen in action in May when they lost in the T20 World Cup Qualifier semifinal to Sri Lanka.
Though, UAE is set for their second consecutive appearance and will be high on confidence having won more than half of their matches this year. The lack of game-time will be a major concern for Nepal whose last outing was in middle of February when they lost to Malaysia in the Asian Cricket Council's Women's Premier Cup.
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