Dubai: Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will face off against each other at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday, while the West Indies will look to bounce back against Scotland.
Attention is turned to the contest between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium and there is plenty on the line for both sides with just two teams from the group to progress to the semi-finals.
The second match on Sunday will also have some ramifications on the knockout stages, with 2016 winners West Indies chasing a first victory at the tournament after a disappointing display against South Africa.
The stakes are always high when India face Pakistan in international cricket and it's no different this time around with mixed fortunes for both sides in their opening group matches.
India would have been banking on a victory first-up against New Zealand and won't want to drop a second consecutive match at the tournament, while Pakistan will be dreaming of what might be if they can make it two on the trot and inch closer to a maiden semi-final berth.
More will be expected of India's strong batting order in this contest, while Pakistan boast some decent depth in their own line-up and should not be underestimated.
India batter Jemimah Rodrigues said: "I think what we have been doing really well as a team is just sticking to the process and doing whatever it takes one game at a time. We know every game from here is so crucial for us."
"We know that. But at the same time, we're going to go one game at a time and just make sure we stick to our process and do our job well. And I think if we can do that, I think if we play our best cricket, I think we can win matches," she said.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana said, "First of all, no team is small or big. Because it is T20 format. The one who plays well, wins the match on the day. So, we will try to carry the momentum that we have gained from here. Obviously, we have three big teams ahead of us. We will try to give our best with them."
Squads
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia (subject to fitness), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness), Sajana Sajeevan. Travelling reserves: Uma Chetry (wk), Tanuja Kanwer, Saima Thakor. Non-Travelling reserves: Raghvi Bist, Priya Mishra
Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan.
Travelling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wk).
Non-travelling reserves: Rameen Shamim, Umm-e-Hani.
Another crucial game for both sides, who will be looking to bounce back from losses in their opening group matches.
The West Indies fell to a disappointing 10-wicket loss to South Africa and will be sweating on the fitness of pacer Zaida James, after she suffered a face injury in their opening match on Friday.
Scotland fell short against Bangladesh in the tournament opener on Thursday, but will be buoyed from a decent performance with the ball and an excellent unbeaten 49* from opener Sarah Bryce.
Bryce will need some support with the bat this time from the likes of Saskia Horley and sister Kathryn, while the West Indies won't want to leave all their scoring to Stafanie Taylor this time and skipper Hayley Matthews is sure to play a pivotal role in deciding this contest.
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews said, "Obviously a pretty disappointing game (first-up against South Africa). Firstly, not scoring enough runs on the board and yeah, we would have probably liked to take a few wickets and at least put up a bit more of a fight in the second innings but yeah with a game in two days’ time we're going to have to get things back together quickly and pick up the pieces and go again."
Scotland all-rounder Saskia Horley said, "There is a hell of a lot of passion and pride around representing Scotland at the first World Cup. Our captain, Kathyrn Bryce said 'we're going to be history makers here'. Anything above that is a bonus. So yeah definitely stuck together as a group which is one thing that we really pride ourselves on as a whole group."
Squads:
West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (vc, wk), Ashmini Munisar, Afy Fletcher, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton.
Scotland: Kathryn Bryce (c), Sarah Bryce (vc), Lorna Jack-Brown, Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Abtaha Maqsood, Saskia Horley, Chloe Abel, Priyanaz Chatterji, Megan McColl, Darcey Carter, Ailsa Lister, Hannah Rainey, Rachel Slater, Katherine Fraser, Olivia Bell.
The World Cup will see 23 matches held in total over 18 days, with all matches in the two host cities of Dubai and Sharjah.
