India looks to impede Pakistan: India has never entered a T20 World Cup encounter against Pakistan under duress or with the wind taken out of their sails so early in the campaign in the past ten years. Although the Group A heavyweights are still in the lead, Pakistan’s opening-day success over the defending Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka and their own humiliating 58-run loss to New Zealand have given this usually meaningless rivalry some significant perspective. In a historic match for Dubai, a confident Pakistan will be ready to take a shot at an injured India on Sunday, October 6.
Considering the confidence the Indian management had in their rearranged top six ahead of the competition, any adjustments to their batting order may be viewed as a hasty response following a shocking first-round loss. After all, it was a rare aberration in an otherwise strong World Cup cycle for their hitters, who are led by top scorers Shafali Verma (617) and Smriti Mandhana (703).
But India would like their hitters to get off to a fast start because their season is in jeopardy and they have less than 48 hours between games. India should seek to spread out their finest or most seasoned batters to cover for unforeseen events, such as what happened on Friday night, by taking a cue from New Zealand.
Which raises the question: did India close another gap by mending something that was never broken? India might be best-positioned to neutralize Pakistan’s greatest threat if they reinstate Harmanpreet Kaur at number four and add Yastika Bhatia, another left-hander, to the lineup.
India looks to impede Pakistan:
Although they rarely receive the credit they merit, Pakistan’s left-arm spin twins Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu have combined to take 59 wickets in 27 matches in World Cup cycle. In Pakistan’s 31-run defeat over Sri Lanka, Sandhu and Sadia took a combined 5 for 32, sifting through the opposition’s skilfully constructed bottom middle-order to limit them to 85 for 9.
Despite all the hype, this rivalry’s one-sidedness can still show its ugly head. After all, their rivalry has only been present in World Cups and Asia Cups, with India comfortably leading Pakistan 12-3 in their 15 games in the shortest format. Although Pakistan’s most recent triumph over its neighbors occurred during the 2022 Asia Cup, India has never appeared to be so vulnerable. India’s celebration may be the next destination on Pakistan’s upward trajectory, spearheaded by Fatima Sana.
What to anticipate: With a predicted temperature in the mid-30s, this afternoon will be warm. This World Cup, there has only been one day game played in Dubai, and the West Indies, with their batters not applying themselves, achieved a pitiful 118 for 6. As the game went on in the lowering light, the batting did appear to get easier. So, at toss, the captain could decide to pursue.
Group News:
India: Complete power India showed up for their pre-match practise, which comprised fielding drills and net work in equal measure. Richa Ghosh, the wicketkeeper, had a focused high-catching session. The most of the day was spent on the sidelines by Radha Yadav, who did not play against New Zealand. Although it’s hardly a reliable gauge of her preparation for the match, the left-arm spinner had only bowled four overs in the two official warm-up sessions. Her inclusion might be in the works if India wants to include more diversity in their spin attack.
Presumptive starting XI: Shreyanka Patil, Yastika Bhatia, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, Richa Ghosh (wk).
Pakistan: Diana Baig was rested the night before the big game due to a calf injury she suffered on Thursday. She is still unlikely to start. Her availability will be decided closer to the start of the match.
Potential XI: Tuba Hassan, Aliya Riaz, Syeda Aroob Shah, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Mubeena Ali (wk), Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Omaima Sohail, Nida Dar, Fatima Sana (C), and
Were you aware?
The India-Pakistan match will mark the 100th T20I hosted by Dubai International Cricket Stadium, of which 92 have been men’s matches. This match is expected to go down in venue history.
Sadia Iqbal has taken 39 wickets in 27 innings at a 5.59 average to lead all T20I wicket-takers in this World Cup cycle.
After Smriti Mandhana (3505), Harmanpreet Kaur needs 59 runs to go up to the second Indian spot in the top three all-time run-scores in WT20Is.
Shafali Verma needs 50 more runs to join the 2000-run club.
What they expressed
Under-bowling Pooja Vastrakar: “When you go in with six bowling options, it’s bound to happen,” said India’s bowling coach Aavishkar Salvion.
“We’ve always desired to engage in aggressive cricket. Every team we faced would immediately launch an attack on our bowlers. I wanted hitters on our team that could put pressure on bowlers right away. We’ve put a lot of effort into this, and maybe you’ll see the benefits shortly.” – Fatima Sana, captain of Pakistan, on the style of cricket she wants her side to play
