IND-W vs PAK-W Preview: India in good chance to topple familiar rival Pakistan as subcontinental forces open their account today!

IND-W vs PAK-W Preview

Truth be told, the contest that perhaps much of the cricketing world had been desperately awaiting is here. Finally here. 

On a mega Sunday holiday, could there be anything better other than watching the Sunday blockbuster: India women’s versus Pakistan women? 

A rivalry that sets hearts racing, nerves wracking and brings out the best from other side- in many ways it can be said that the India versus Pakistan contest is more than just a normal cricket contest. 

It stirs passions and perhaps leaves fingers sans nails. 

But in what appears to be a bit of a downer even before single ball has been bowled, there’s news that India’s Smriti Mandhana may just not feature in all important contest against arch rivals Pakistan. 

A minor finger injury, it is being said, has snapped the brave left hander’s participation in the game. 

It’s the sort of blow that Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s captain would be wary of and could  thus prompt her to play even more carefully and be mindful of providing a useful contribution to her side. 

And that’s also where the kind of start that India’s openers- the elegant Yastika Bhatia and the daredevil Sharali Verma- becomes ever so important. 

Truth be told, in Smriti’s absence Harmanpreet’s deputy Jemimah Rodriguez’s role becomes all the more crucial; the technically adept right hander ever capable of scoring on either side of the wicket will look to provide a solid foundation to her team’s stack of runs. 

Whether India score first or chase, the team’s top four will be very handy to watch and will thus form the big viral wickets up Pakistan’s grab. 

It is also a big occasion in some ways for Team India who play their first World Cup tournament since Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami’s exit from the sport. 

The team, meanwhile, will be spurred by the return of experienced right hand medium pacer Shikha Pandey, the bandana wearing white ball expert who has plenty of wickets and games to her name. 

Along with Radha Yadav and Rajeshwari Gayakwad, India will hope to serve a daunting challenge to Pakistan whose biggest challenge will be right a major woe where it comes to the big World Cup games in this T20 format. 

Not once have Pakistan managed to usurp India in the past over a decade of playing the T20 world cup contests.  

Which further brings us to question whether under Bismah Mahroof’s leadership, the exciting team from the sub continent can turn the tables on a familiar foe?

Should that happen, the undisputedly talented trinity of Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz and Javeria Khan will to come good and provide the runs from the bat. 

Frankly, it’s about time that a giant of Pakistan cricket, Javeria offered the solace from the bat, having missed out on the big runs in the last few T20I outings. 

For how much longer can the skilful left hander Bismah provide solidity and cushion to the team’s run scoring on her own? 

In similar vein, it’s a great chance also Nida Dar to derive inspiration from her redoubtable experience and put years of composure into play if Pakistan are to topple India. 

A win here for them will really inspire them to bring out their very best in rich fervour in the games ahead and there indeed are some big contests ahead; such as the contests against Ireland and the West Indies. 

All eyes on the first ball about to undergo live now. 

India WomenPakistan Women February 12, 2023 12:00 am Preview

Match 

Venue 

Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa 

Timings 

Match Starts at 6.30 pm Indian Standard Time (IST) 

India Women’s squad

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 Women’s squad

Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Tuba Hassan

Match Prediction

Should Smriti Mandhana actually sit out from this belter of a contest, india will feel the heat. But does that mean that with names like Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodriguez can’t stand out and make a stormy impression against Pakistan? 

Frankly, Pakistan will think that they can prevail and it appears that India, with the winsome confidence in their past encounters against a familiar rival will be able to play more intelligently and ably. 

The team that doesn’t lose its composure will prevail in the end and it seems that the team might be India.