Predicted XI
India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Devika Vaidya, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shikha Pandey
Pakistan Women: Muneeba Ali (wk), Javeria Khan, Bismah Maroof (c), Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Ayesha Naseem, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Tuba Hassan, Aiman Anwer, Sadia Iqbal
The eighth edition of the Women's T20 World Cup is here with South Africa hosting the event from February 10th. Match no. 4 will witness the women from two rival countries India and Pakistan go head to head at Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday, February 12th.
India have come short of winning an ICC tournament twice - in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup and in the Commonwealth Games. Both times losing to Australia in the final. They would be hoping to go all the way this time around.
India women have had good game time under their belt. Recently they hosted Australia in a five-match series, which they lost by 4-1 but were pretty competitive throughout the series. Ahead of this event, India played a tri-series against South Africa and West Indies. They went unbeaten in the group stage but lost the final by five wickets.
Pakistan Women had managed one win in the previous edition while losing two games. They recently toured Australia, where they lost the T20I series by 2-0. Pakistan scored 118 in the first match and were restricted to 96/7 in the second. Australia won both matches by eight wickets before the third game was washed out.
Team News
India have a formidable line-up and most of the spots are automatic certainties. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma will open the innings while Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh form the middle order. Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, and Pooja Vastrakar add immense balance to the side with their all-around ability. Renuka Singh and Shikha Pandey are likely to be the primary pace options while Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Radha Yadav are vying for one spot.
Pakistan Women also have a pretty settled side although it does not possess the same quality. Muneeba Ali and Javeria Khan are likely to be the preferred opening duo, followed by captain Bismah Maroof, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, and Ayesha Naseem. Dar has been in outstanding form with both bat and ball and will hold the key. The bowling attack will have Fatima Sana, Tuba Hassan, Aiman Anwer, and Sadia Iqbal.
Key Players
Deepti Sharma has raised her game in the last couple of years, becoming a crucial member of the Indian side. She has scored 491 runs in T20I cricket since the start of 2021 at an average of 41 while striking at 125. With the ball, the off-spinner has taken 43 wickets in this period at an economy of 6.24.
Nida Dar has arguably been the most valuable player for Pakistan. The all-rounder has been in terrific form and will be key if they are to challenge India. Dar has scored 273 runs in the previous 10 T20Is at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 115. She has also claimed 13 wickets at an economy of 6.48.
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