Any form of cricket between India and Pakistan raises tension and draws a large crowd from both countries. India is gearing up to take on arch-rival Pakistan in a high-profile encounter on Sunday in the Women’s T20 World Cup at Cape Town in South Africa.
It will be the seventh clash between the two neighbouring nations in the T20 World Cups. Overall, India is ahead in the head-to-head contest against Pakistan, winning four out of six matches. In fact, India has emerged victorious 10 times out of 13.
The batting coach of the women’s team, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, said that his team is ready for the challenge. Every cricketer wants to participate in the World Cup and play against top teams. “Most of our players have played against Pakistan, so they have the experience of high-voltage games,” Kanitkar said.
India will take the field later today without its star opener Smriti Mandhana, as she was declared unfit due to a finger injury. But she is expected to be available for the second match, Kanitkar said.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the team’s captain, has recovered from a shoulder injury sustained during the T20 tri-series in South Africa. She is expected to play in today’s match.
The Indian team is clubbed alongside England, Pakistan, the West Indies, and Ireland in Group B.
India’s recent performance was not astonishing, as the girls in blue lost the Tri-Series final against South Africa. Apart from this, India lost to Australia in a warm-up match before beating Bangladesh.
