Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will take on each other in the fifth match of the Women’s T20 Commonwealth Games 2022 on Sunday, July 31.
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Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will take on each other in the fifth match of the Women’s T20 Commonwealth Games 2022 on Sunday, July 31, at Edgbaston in Birmingham. while India had a disappointing start to the campaign, as they faced a close defeat against Australia. Pakistan too were beaten by Barbados in their first match of the tournament as well.
As far as India’s first match is concerned, while batting first, Smriti Mandhana (24) and Shafali Verma (48) got India off to a stable start. However, they kept losing wickets in between until the captain Harmanpreet Kaur started to steady the ship with patience. She slammed a decent 34-ball 52, striking at 152.94, which eventually helped India post a total of 154-8 in 20 overs. While chasing, Australia were in trouble at one point, courtesy of Renuka Singh Thakur who cleaned up the upper order but Grace Harris and Ashleigh Gardner played some brilliant knocks to seal the deal as well.
On the other hand, Pakistan lost to Barbados in their first match of the competition. They couldn’t put much pressure with their bowling unit as Barbados posted 144-4. Fatima Sana also picked up two wickets but did not have enough support from the other ends as well. While chasing, Pakistan lost their opener, Iram Javed, for a duck. Meanwhile, no other batter could help the cause apart from Nida Dar. She smacked an unbeaten 31-ball 50. But her knock went in vain as Pakistan fell short by 15 runs as well.
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Smriti Mandhana
The swashbuckling India opener Smriti Mandhana is one of the players who has the ability to trouble the opponent bowlers and Pakistan would love to remove her early in the innings. However, Mandhana has been in a good form and she started well against Australia too but failed to convert it into a big score as well. She could only manage 24 runs off just 17 balls with five fours. And, she would love to carry her form forward as well.
Nida Dar
The veteran Pakistan all-rounder Nida Dar has been in sublime form. After having a successful last series, she started the Commonwealth Games where she left. She smacked an unbeaten 50 runs off just 31 balls but couldn’t help her side to register a win against Barbados Women in the campaign opener. Moreover, she was also impressive with her economical spell in the game as well. And, she is likely to play a key part for her side once again.
Renuka Singh Thakur
India speedster Renuka Singh Thakur made headlines in the campaign opener against Australia. She dismantled Australia Women’s top order to leave them struggling in the middle at 49/5. India were riding high with their performances but Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner and Grace Harris eventually played crucial knocks to take the team home with an over and three wickets in hand. Although Australia Women won the game, her spell successfully restricted the opponents and would love to carry her stunning form once again in the second game as well.
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India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Harleen Deol, Radha Yadav, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Thakur.
Pakistan Women: Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Omaima Sohail, Bismah Maroof (C), Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Fatima Sana, Tuba Hassan, Diana Baig, Anam Amin.
