India women will face their arch-rivals Pakistan as they kick off their Asia Cup 2024 campaign in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. The seven-time Asian champions, India, aim to make a strong impression in the 10-day tournament, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter right from the start.
Ahead of the match, Pakistan’s skipper, Nida Dar, won the toss and elected to bat first on what she described as a “dry wicket.” Dar expressed confidence in her team’s preparation, saying, “We have practiced and trained a lot in Karachi and we are well-prepared for this contest. It is a great opportunity ahead of the T20 World Cup. We have a good combination of bowlers and batters and we are hoping for a good game.”
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, meanwhile, exhibited confidence irrespective of the toss outcome. “For us, anything was okay because the conditions are gonna be the same for the 40 overs. Every game is important for us and we want to get into rhythm from the first game,” she said.
The Indian team has made three notable changes to their Playing XI from their last T20I match against South Africa. Richa Ghosh, who suffered a concussion during the first T20I against South Africa, has been reinstated in the squad, replacing the young keeper Uma Chetry. Also making their way back into the team are top-order batter Dayalan Hemalatha and pace bowler Renuka Thakur Singh. The trio have replaced Arundhati Reddy, Uma Chetry, and Sajeevan Sajana.
The decision to include Richa Ghosh and Renuka Thakur underscores India’s intent to bolster both their batting and bowling line-ups.
. “Richa’s return adds depth to our batting and her keeping skills are an added advantage. Renuka’s pace and swing can be pivotal in these early overs to unsettle Pakistan’s premier batters,” noted a team insider.
Of particular significance is the milestone being celebrated by Pakistan’s skipper Nida Dar, who is appearing in her 150th T20I game, making her the first Pakistani woman cricketer to achieve this feat. This record highlights her experience and value to her side, providing not just leadership but also past performances to inspire her team.
Let’s take a look at the Playing XIs for both teams:
India Women (Playing XI):
– Smriti Mandhana
– Shafali Verma
– Dayalan Hemalatha
– Jemimah Rodrigues
– Harmanpreet Kaur (c)
– Richa Ghosh (w)
– Deepti Sharma
– Pooja Vastrakar
– Radha Yadav
– Shreyanka Patil
– Renuka Thakur Singh
Pakistan Women (Playing XI):
– Sidra Ameen
– Gull Feroza
– Muneeba Ali (w)
– Nida Dar (c)
– Aliya Riaz
– Iram Javed
– Fatima Sana
– Tuba Hassan
– Sadia Iqbal
– Nashra Sandhu
– Syeda Aroob Shah
This match doesn’t just mark the beginning of another tournament; it continues the storied rivalry between India and Pakistan in women’s cricket. With experienced players like Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma at the top and reliance on young energy from players like Shreyanka Patil, India seeks to blend experience and youth seamlessly. On the other hand, Pakistan will rely heavily on Nida Dar’s experience and leadership to navigate through the complex layers of this high-pressure encounter.
Historically, India has had the upper hand over Pakistan in women’s cricket, having won more matches overall. However, the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket means that either side could claim victory on any given day. “This is not just about dropping or picking players but ensuring that the right mix commits on the field,” explained Harmanpreet Kaur. “Crucial to our strategy will be the early partnerships, power play usage, and disciplined bowling,” she added.
The Asia Cup 2024 not only serves as a regional championship but also as a preparatory ground for the upcoming T20 World Cup. It provides the teams an opportunity to test their combinations and strategies, gauge player form, and gain crucial match experience ahead of the globlal event.
As the teams take the field, the eyes of cricket fans from around the region and beyond will be glued to what promises to be an electrifying encounter.
