India, Pakistan rekindle World T20 rivalry

Overview

India v Pakistan
WT20 Match 5
Guyana National Stadium, Providence
10 November, 2018; 11.00am local; 3.00pm GMT

In Twenty20 Internationals, India Women have won eight encounters against their neighbours, but both the times they have lost have been in ICC Women’s World T20s.

In 2012 in Galle, needing 14 in the last over bowled by Sana Mir, they lost by one run. Then, in 2016, in a rain-hit match in Delhi, they lost by two runs on the DLS method.

India can take solace in the narrow margins, but, going into their latest encounter in the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 on Sunday, 11 November, will also be mindful of how they have come unstuck in pressure situations.

Nida Dar, Pakistan’s Player of the Match in 2012, said on Friday, “These matches always have pressure, from the Indian side, the Pakistani side, from our families.

“We play the games with a different kind of passion, and it brings its own unique feeling. Compared to other matches, we play with double the emotion. We’re hoping for the best wishes of people back home.”

India, meanwhile, sought to play down the occasion. The 2016 disappointment was behind them, they insisted.

They have a reason for confidence. Given Harmanpreet Kaur’s form in becoming the first Indian to score a T20I hundred on the opening day of the tournament, and good knocks from their top order, they come with a reputation.

“We need to focus on the first six overs, because when you have only two fielders outside, how many runs you get is a plus point for us, that’s the only reason we sent Taniya [Bhatia] to open, who can play freely,” said Kaur after their opening win, explaining the decision to push Mithali Raj down the order.

Raj’s new role may be particularly significant against Pakistan’s strong spin attack, which could trouble the more inexperienced batters. Javeria Khan’s side had a tough opening game against Australia, conceding defeat by 52 runs. But they will back their spinners to lift their game again.

Players to watch

Jemimah Rodrigues (India): The teenager again showed her calm head and cricketing smarts in the opener against New Zealand, bringing up a half-century. Her ability to rotate the strike is key. She will have to be careful in how she plays spin.

Omaima Sohail (Pakistan): The youngster made her debut against Australia, and immediately made an impact. Even on the world stage, she appeared fearless with her batting, and appears a strong fielder as well.

Conditions

It is hot again in Guyana. As the first game of the day, the teams should have use of a decent batting surface, but the slower bowlers will still be in the thick of things.

Squads

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Mithali Raj, Jemimah Rodrigues, Veda Krishnamurthy, Deepti Sharma, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Anuja Patil, Ekta Bisht, D Hemalatha, Mansi Joshi, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy

Pakistan: Javeria Khan (c), Bismah Maroof, Aiman Anwer, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sana Mir, Sidra Ameen, Sidra Nawaz