ICC Women’s World Cup, IND Vs PAK – India, who finished second in the 2023 and 2023 tournaments, is one among the favourites to win the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2023. IND-W vs. PAK-W preview is here:
ICC Women’s World Cup, IND Vs PAK: India Start
When the Indian women’s cricket team begins its pursuit of the coveted ICC World Cup title with the opening match against archrivals Pakistan at Mount Maunganui on Sunday, it would be hoped that its bowlers rediscover top form to support the efforts of a strong batting squad.
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India, which finished in second place in both the 2023 and 2023 tournaments, is anxious to advance and win the championship that has evaded them, especially under the leadership of Mithali Raj and veteran bowler Jhulan Goswami, who will be participating in his or her final World Cup.
In order to adjust to the climate, the Indian squad arrived in New Zealand a month earlier.
The batting team, which managed to score more than 250 runs five times in the seven 50-over games, including two warm-up matches, outperformed the bowlers, who struggled.
Throughout the series against New Zealand, which India lost 1-4, the bowling unit let the team down. It failed to stop 270+ targets in two games and let up a huge 191 in 20 overs in an ODI series rain-shortened game.
They fared significantly better in the fifth ODI and the two warm-up games, and Raj will be hoping that both the batting and bowling groups can work together well.
In the pre-game news conference, Raj said, “All we can take from the previous series or warm-up games is confidence, and how you play according to the conditions in the middle is just really essential.”
Goswami, who has consistently picked up wickets for India, will be in charge of the pace department, while Meghna Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, and Renuka Singh will need to step up their game to support the seasoned fast.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad performed strong in the warm-up games, but consistency will be crucial. Spinner Deepti Sharma led the bilateral series in wickets taken.
It is uncertain whether Raj will pass the ball to Harmanpreet Kaur.
The squad would have exhaled with relief when Kaur, a crucial component and a player who is thought to be a big-match performer, found herself among runs during a protracted difficult period.
It will be up to opener Shafali Verma, who has been out of sorts, and in-form batter Smriti Mandhana to give the team a strong start.
Raj, who is at the centre of the Indian batting order, has hinted that Deepti, who has been in fine form with both the bat and the ball, would be batting at the top, possibly at number three or four, with Kaur likely to play at number five.
Taniya Bhatia is anticipated to start behind young Rich Ghosh, who struck back-to-back half-centuries against New Zealand.
Pakistan, on the other side, is the tournament’s lowest-ranked squad. After the qualifications were called off in the middle of last year due to COVID-19, they qualified for the World Cup based on their ranking.
Pakistan’s best-ever World Cup performance, after finishing last three times, was in 2023, when they advanced to the Super 6 round. They will be attempting to advance to this edition’s knockout rounds.
Additionally, Bismah Maroof and company have won back-to-back exhibition games. Before defeating Bangladesh, they defeated New Zealand.
Even though they won the two games, it was the bowlers and the lower order that kept them alive. Pakistan would thus hope that its leadership can fire.
Pakistan Bismah Maroof remarked on Saturday, “The things we have not gone well in the previous year we have spoken about it…whoever absorbs the pressure better that team will win; thus we are looking for a successful match tomorrow.”
Pakistan has mostly depended on spinner Nashra Sandhu to secure wickets in the bowling department. The pacers would also need to join the group.
Squads:
Sneh Rana, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Jhulan Goswami, Renuka Singh, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Taniya Bhatia, Rich Ghosh, and Taniya Bhat
Pakistan: Aiman Anwer, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Nashra Sandhu, Aliya Riaz, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nahida Khan, Bismah Maroof (c), Sidra Ameen, Nida Dar, Anam Amin, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Nawaz (wk),
Match begins at 6:30 IST.
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