The national women’s teams of the United Arab Emirates and Nepal are slated to go head-to-head in the curtain raiser of the 2024 Asian Cricket Council (ACC)-organized Women’s Asia Cup. The game is scheduled for 2:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on the 19th of July 2024, at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla.
Squads:
United Arab Emirates – Esha Rohit Oza (C), Kavisha Kumari, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Lavanya Keny, Emily Thomas, Heena Harish Hotchandani, Mehak Thakur, Indhuja Nandakumar, Rinitha Rajith, Khushi Mohan Sharma, Rishitha Rajith, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish, Vaishnave Mahesh
Nepal – Indu Barma (C), Kajol Shrestha, Rubina Chettri, Sabnam Rai, Sita Rana Magar, Rajmati Airee, Puja Mahato, Bindu Rawal, Roma Thapa, Mamta Chaudhary, Kabita Joshi, Kabita Kunwar, Dolly Bhatta, Kritika Marasini, Samjhana Khadka
Players to watch out for:
Esha Oza
The 26-year-old all-rounder in T20Is, from 77 outings, has racked up 2074 runs, averaging 30.95, and from 62 innings, has picked up 56 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 4.70, while registering bests of 158* and 3/0. Esha Oza, in her previous 3 T20Is in April-May 2024, registered scores of 66*, 29, and 66, alongside producing figures of 0/19, 1/14, and 2/27. It is hoped she carries that form into this tournament.
Vaishnave Mahesh
The 17-year-old leg-spinner, averaging 11.57 and maintaining an economy rate of 4.71, has scalped 82 wickets from 63 T20I innings and registered a best of 4/10, while also being handy with the bat. Vaishnave Mahesh, in her previous 3 T20Is in April-May 2024, returned figures of 2/16, 0/9, and 2/33, and while she didn’t have the best of campaigns, she’ll be backed to find more success in the supporting subcontinent conditions.
Indu Barma
The 26-year-old all-rounder, from 46 T20I outings, has accumulated 639 runs, with a highest of 55*, and from 29 T20I innings, has scalped 26 wickets, with a best of 3/5, at an average of 12.42 and an economy rate of 3.96. In another ACC competition earlier this year, Indu Barma had a notable outing, registering scores of 22* and 29 in her previous couple of T20Is, and was economical with the ball. She can be relied upon for the goods.
Sita Rana Magar
The 32-year-old all-rounder has amassed 863 runs from 51 T20I outings and secured 50 wickets from 47 bowling innings, at an average of 12.50 and an economy rate of 4.22, with bests being 82* and 5/16. Sita Rana Magar was consistently among the runs and bagged 7 wickets in her previous 4 T20I innings earlier this year in February. She is a seasoned campaigner and can be counted on for all-round efforts.
Pitch:
With an average score in the 140s, the fairly balanced Dambulla wicket offers an engaging contest between bat and ball. However, bowlers, especially spinners, have the upper hand, and once batters get used to the bounce, scoring becomes easier.
Weather:
With partly cloudy skies and a minimal chance of rain, the conditions are ideal for a complete game of cricket in Dambulla. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 31°C, with moderate winds and a humidity level of 66%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Match details:
Date – July 19, 2024
Time – 2:00 PM IST
Venue – Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
Broadcast – The game will be live streamed on Disney+ Hotstar and telecasted on Star Sports Network.