In the upcoming 9th edition of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC)-organized Women’s Asia Cup, match no. 2 on the opening day fixtures, 19th of July 2024, will feature the highly anticipated India and Pakistan face-off. The game will be played at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, and commences at 7:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
India – Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Richa Ghosh (WK), Uma Chetry (WK), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan
Pakistan – Nida Dar (C), Iram Javed, Sadia Iqbal, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Najiha Alvi, Syeda Aroob Shah, Nashra Sundhu, Tasmia Rubab, Omaima Sohail, Tuba Hassan
Players to watch out:
Jemimah Rodrigues
The 23-year-old top-order batter, from 83 T20I innings, has amassed 1997 runs, including a highest score of 76, at an average of 30.25 and a strike rate of 112.95. She also has a wicket to her name. Jemimah Rodrigues displayed notable form in a recent home series against South Africa, and in her most recent outing, her only T20I scored a mature 30-ball 53*. She has grown a lot in her role of late and can be relied upon to lead the scoring.
Pooja Vastrakar
The 24-year-old all-rounder, from 60 T20I outings, has taken 53 wickets, including a best of 4/13, maintaining an economy rate of 6.29, and from 39 innings, she has added 310 runs to the tally, striking at 114.39. Pooja Vastrakar displayed outstanding form throughout the home series against South Africa, returning consecutive figures of 2/23, 2/37, and 4/13 in the T20Is. It is hoped she carries this form into the Asia Cup.
Muneeba Ali
The 24-year-old keeper-batter, from 64 T20I innings, has accumulated 1046 runs, including a highest score of 102. Muneeba Ali is amongst the best batters in Pakistan’s ranks but could manage only a string of starts in her recent international outings, with scores of 10, 18, 3, 34, and 47. She is a good player of spin, solid behind the stumps, a reliable anchor, and the team will count on her to step up her efforts with match-winning knocks.
Tuba Hassan
The 23-year-old leg-spinner, maintaining an economy rate of 6.02 from 23 T20I innings, has picked up 21 wickets, including a best of 3/8, and has registered a highest score of 28 with the bat. Tuba Hassan, in a home series against West Indies in April, bagged a wicket in each of her 3 outings, and though she didn’t find much success in a recent series against England, she can be banked upon for the goods, both with bat and ball.
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 27°C, with moderate winds and a humidity level of 66%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Match details:
Date – July 19, 2024
Time – 7:00 PM IST
Venue – Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on Disney+ Hotstar and telecasted on Star Sports Network.