India and Pakistan will go head-to-head in match no. 7 of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, on October 6, 2024, at 3:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). India, coming off a crushing 58-run loss to New Zealand in their opener, will be looking to bounce back, while Pakistan enters the match high on confidence after a confident 31-run victory over Sri Lanka.
India, in their season opener against New Zealand, were set a challenging target of 161, but their top five failed to deliver, leading to a comprehensive 58-run defeat. Meanwhile, Pakistan, though bowled out for a mere 116 by Sri Lanka, showed immense resilience with the ball. Their disciplined bowling, backed by sharp fielding, completely stifled the Sri Lankan chase, bowling them out for 85/9 and securing a convincing 31-run win to start their campaign on a high.
Squads:
India –
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan
Pakistan –
Fatima Sana (C), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan
Players to watch out:
Smriti Mandhana –
The 28-year-old opening batter, from 136 T20I innings, has amassed 3,505 runs at an average of 28.72, a strike rate of 122.38, and notched up 26 fifties, with the highest score of 87. Smriti capped off her most recent T20I campaign with back-to-back fifties, and while she registered scores of 14 and 21 in the warm-up games, she departed for 12 in the season opener. It is hoped she converts these starts into substantial scores.
Asha Sobhana –
The 33-year-old leg-spinner, from 4 T20Is, has claimed 5 wickets at an economy rate of 6.93. Asha has proven her mettle in India’s premier women’s T20 competition, claiming 17 wickets from 15 outings and registering the best of 5/22. She produced figures of 1/7 (3) and 2/21 (3) in the two warm-up games and followed up with 1/22 (4) in the season opener. She is in form and can be banked upon for breakthroughs.
Sidra Amin –
The 32-year-old top-order batter, from 57 T20I innings, has accumulated 1,009 runs, including the highest score of 63. Sidra has been largely consistent over the past years and, this year, has accumulated 321 runs from 14 outings. In a recent series against South Africa, she managed scores of 28 and 37, and though she had quiet outings in the warm-up games and the season opener, she can be relied upon for the runs.
Fatima Sana –
The 22-year-old all-rounder, in T20Is, from 42 outings, has bagged 33 wickets at an economy rate of 7.32, and from 27 innings, has added 346 runs at a strike rate of 116.10, with bests of 3/18 and 37*. Fatima has registered scores of 37*, 37*, 27, 20*, and 17 in her recent outings and also broke her 6-match wicketless streak with 2/10 in the season opener, alongside scoring 30 runs. She can be counted on for the goods.
Pitch:
The center wicket at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium offers a fair contest between bat and ball. With an average score in the 120s, it promises an intriguing contest. Spinners enjoy favorable conditions on this pitch, while pacers can also make an impact.
Weather:
It will be a pleasant day for cricket in Dubai with no rain interruptions and bright, sunny skies. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 34°C, with moderate winds and 49% humidity.
Fantasy playing XI:
Richa Ghosh, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Nida Dar, Pooja Vastrakar, Fatima Sana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sundhu
Match details:
Date – October 6, 2024
Time – 3:30 PM IST
Venue – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Broadcast – In India, the game will be telecasted by the Star Sports Network and will be available for live streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Click here for the full list of broadcasters for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.