Women’s WC 2022: IND vs PAK Preview – India aim for a winning start

The fourth match at the Women’s World Cup 2022 will see arch-rivals India and Pakistan go up against each other in Mount Maunganui on March 6^th. Both the teams would enter the contest with some much-needed confidence with them both winning each of their two-warm games leading into the main event.

India would be particularly happy with the return to form for their star middle-order batter, Harmanpreet Kaur, who struck a brilliant century against South Africa in India’s first of the two warm-up games. Their star opener Smriti Mandhana and young batter Yastika Bhatia also looked in fine touch going into the all-important game.

For Pakistan, left-arm orthodox spinner Nashra Sandhu impressed particularly having picked up seven scalps in the two warm-up games. Their batting looks to be shaping up well and the team would be wanting to put on a good show in their first outing at the 2022 World Cup.

💬 💬 "It's important to peak at the right time in the World Cup."#TeamIndia Captain @M_Raj03 shares her thoughts about momentum ahead of the #CWC22. 👍 👍 pic.twitter.com/1XiTFDtleb

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) February 26, 2022

Match Info

India vs Pakistan, 4^th match

Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

Start Date and Time: 6^th March 2022 at 6:30 AM IST

Head-to-Head

Matches – 10, India – 10, Pakistan – 0

Team News

India

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma are expected to open the batting. Yastika Bhatia should be slotted to come in at three with Captain Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh likely to form the middle order. Deepti Sharma will take the all-rounder’s slot. In terms of spinners, India could field Sneh Rana and Rajeshwari Gayakwad as their two spinners with Jhulan Goswami leading the pace attack along with fellow pacer Meghna Singh.

Predicted XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

Pakistan

Nahida Khan and Sidra Ameen would be opening the innings for Pakistan with Javeria Khan likely to come in at three. Omaima Sohail, Bismah Maroof,Sidra Nawaz and Aliya Riaz will form their middle order. While Nida Dar slots in as the all-rounder, Fatima Sana, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig should complete Pakistan’s bowling attack.

Predicted XI: Nahida Khan, Sidra Ameen, Javeria Khan, Omaima Sohail, Bismah Maroof (c), Aliya Riaz,Sidra Nawaz, Nida Dar, Fatima Sana, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig