Bismah Maroof's team chase historic first at Women's T20 World Cup - Pakistan preview

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

Travelling Reserves: Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz.

12 February v India at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
15 February v Ireland at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
19 February v West Indies at Boland Park, Paarl
21 February vs England at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town

Results in the last 10 T20I games (Most recent first): NR, L, L, L, W, L, L, W, W, W

Nothing would get the ball rolling better for Pakistan than a victory over arch-rivals India in the opening game of the Women's T20 World Cup.

Though India holds a 10-3 head-to-head lead over Pakistan in T20Is, their most recent clash proved that it is truly anybody's game when it comes to the battle between the neighbours.

Pakistan stunned India At the Women's Asia Cup as they successfully defended a target of 138 by 13 runs. The victory will surely be a massive confidence booster for Bismah Maroof's women who will look to repeat the feat on the big stage in Cape Town on 12 February.

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Pakistan have never progressed past the group stages but enjoyed a good run at the 2016 T20 World Cup where they finished third in their group with two wins, including a win over hosts India.

After restricting India to just 96/7 in that game, Pakistan were 77/6 in their chase with four overs to go when rain halted play. Pakistan were two runs ahead of the DLS-par score and got crucial two points on board.

They followed it up with victory over fellow Asian side Bangladesh, this time in a much more convincing manner as they routed home with nine wickets and more than three overs to spare while chasing 114.

Nida Dar continues to prove that age is just a number and even at 36 years of age is a vital cog in Pakistan's machine.

The all-rounder has been in imperious form of late, evidenced by her ICC Player of the Month heroics in October 2022.

Dar was the star player for Pakistan during their Asia Cup campaign, where she amassed 145 runs at an average of 72.50 while also picking up eight wickets.

The all-rounder was both the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker for Pakistan last year in T20Is, aggregating 396 runs to go with 15 scalps in 16 matches.

With 121 T20I wickets, Nida is currently second on the list of highest wicket-takers and just four behind leader Anisa Mohammed, making the T20 World Cup the perfect occasion to bag a historic feat.

If Pakistan are to make an impression at the T20 World Cup, they will need Nida Dar to come to the party with her off-spin as well as her steady middle-order displays.

Pakistan have had a mixed bag of form in T20Is since the start of last year, winning 10 and losing nine in 21 matches since January 2022.

The key for Pakistan to enjoy a successful T20 World Cup would be to find some consistency as they aim to make it out of the group stage for the first time in the tournament.

The group – consisting of England, India, Ireland and West Indies – offers Pakistan the best possible chance of making it to the final four for the first time.

Their recent victory against the hosts should give them confidence while their positive win record of 14-4 over Ireland gives them the edge. The West Indies' recent form, where they have lost all 10 of their most recent T20Is, could allow Pakistan to sneak a victory.

The timing is perfect for Pakistan as a team to start their upward trajectory in T20I cricket. Though they will be without the services of experienced Diana Baig who has been ruled out due to a finger injury, they have enough firepower in their ranks to make up for it.

The emergence of Tuba Hassan has added another dimension to Pakistan's bowling which already has great variety with the likes of Dar, Fatima Sana and Nashra Sandhu among others in the ranks.

On the batting side, Maroof has reliable players in Sidra Amin, Muneeba Ali and Omaima Sohail to go with the firepower that Dar and Ayesha Naseem could offer.

The squad has the perfect mix of youth and experience and Bismah Maroof, in her second T20 World Cup as captain, will be hoping that her team can come together to create something special at the tournament.