India vs Pakistan highlights, T20 World Cup 2024: India keep semis hopes alive with 6-wicket win over Pakistan

Pakistan openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza are making their way to the middle. Team India has formed a huddle. It's a much-needed match for Indian team. Renuka Thakur Singh will open the attack for India. Here we go...!!!

Both the teams - India and Pakistan - have lined for their respective national anthems. Electric atmosphere at the Dubai International Stadium.

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, S Sajana, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Thakur Singh

Muneeba Ali (w), Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Omaima Sohail, Fatima Sana (captain), Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Syeda Aroob Shah, Sadia Iqbal

We would have batted first as well, but we'll have to bowl well and restrict them. We have one change, Pooja is out with an injury. We'll have to move forward with a positive approach, it's always how you bounce back and we've spoken about it. We will go out there and play some positive cricket.

- Harmanpreet Kaur, India captain

We will bat first, put up a total on the board. Diana Baig misses out, that's the only change. It's a big blow, but we've players who can do well in her absence. We'll try to put up a good total here. I'm excited to lead Pakistan against India

- Pakistan captain Fatima Sana

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana wins toss, opts to bat against India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium

India's hopes of reaching the semifinals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 took a significant blow after their heavy 58-run defeat against New Zealand in Dubai on Friday.

Entering the tournament as one of the favorites, India now face a challenging road to the knockout stages, with net run rate (NRR) becoming a critical factor in a tough Group A.

The defeat has placed India in a precarious position. With only two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals, Harmanpreet Kaur's side now has no margin for error.

Their group, featuring six-time winners and three-time defending champions Australia, a resurgent New Zealand, arch-rivals Pakistan, and Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka, leaves no easy path ahead.

India's women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, finds itself in a precarious position after suffering a defeat in their first match.

The upcoming encounter against Pakistan is crucial, and a victory is essential to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.

Despite boasting an impressive record against their rivals, with 12 wins out of 15 T20I matches, the high-stakes nature of this game could add an extra layer of pressure, especially considering the recent struggles of India's top-order batters.

India faces a crucial match against Pakistan in the Women's T20 World Cup on Sunday after suffering a heavy 58-run defeat to New Zealand. This opening loss has severely impacted India's chances of reaching the semifinals, leaving them in a tight spot.

India's run-rate now stands at -2.99, requiring significant wins in their remaining three matches against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia.

The team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, performed poorly against New Zealand in all areas. They need to improve quickly within 24 hours to stand a chance against a confident Pakistan team, which defeated Sri Lanka in their first match.

India must address their team combinations before facing Pakistan. In their loss to New Zealand, they opted for an extra pacer, Arundhati Reddy, which led to changes in the batting order. Harmanpreet Kaur batted at No. 3, Jemimah Rodrigues at No. 4, and Richa Ghosh at No. 5, positions unfamiliar to these players.

The disappointment was clear on India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and her team after their hopes of reaching the knockouts of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup took a severe blow with a 58-run defeat against New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.

India, who entered the tournament as one of the title favorites, now face a tough challenge against arch-rivals Pakistan. Pakistan are riding high on confidence after a comfortable victory over Sri Lanka in their opening game.

India's next match against Pakistan, whom they have beaten 12 times in 15 encounters, is crucial. Although India have a strong historical record against Pakistan, they cannot afford to be complacent.

Probable XI INDIA:

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil/Yastika Bhatia, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Thakur

Probable XI PAKISTAN:

Mubeena Ali (wk), Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Omaima Sohail, Nida Dar, Fatima Sana (C), Tuba Hassan, Aliya Riaz, Syeda Aroob Shah, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal

The weather forecast predicts a scorching afternoon, with temperatures soaring to the mid-30s.

Dubai has hosted only one day game so far in this World Cup, where the West Indies struggled to post a meager total of 118 for 6, largely due to their batters' inability to apply themselves at the crease.

However, as the game progressed and the sun began to set, batting appeared to become easier.

Consequently, the captain winning the toss might prefer to chase, considering the potential advantage of batting second under the evening conditions.

Pakistan, on the other hand, are flying high after an allround performance that led to a 31-run victory against Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka.

Their spinners were in their elements defending 116 and the confidence that they gained from the game could be crucial, especially on a pitch where the spinners normally hold sway.

Under the leadership of their new captain Fatima Sana, who excelled in all aspects of the game, Pakistan possess a formidable player capable of challenging India.

Sana scored a quickfire 30 off 20 balls in their first game, but she wants her batters to take the game on.

The Indian bowlers also need to take charge and analyse the pitch better.

Leg-spinner Asha Shobhana, fresh off a promising debut, will look to make a greater impact.

Meanwhile, Pooja Vastrakar with the new ball and Arund hati Reddy, who replaced Radha Yadav, will be itching to get the early wickets.

Jemimah Rodrigues, another star player, too couldn't make an impact and she stressed on the need to pick themselves up quickly.

"We would like to forget Friday's game because this is a World Cup. We can't stay stuck in this game. We know every game from here is so crucial for us," Jemimah said.

There's always a lot riding on an India-Pakistan contest. Everyone talks it up as the 'the greatest rivalry,' but when it comes to women's cricket, the Indians have a bit of a runaway lead. The 12-3 head to head in T20s does look lop-sided, but there's a little more than what meets the eye for the Sunday clash at the Dubai International Stadium.

The humiliating loss to New Zealand on Friday has left India unsettled while Pakistan come into this game after a commanding victory against Sri Lanka.

It's a tough group with Australia waiting and a loss in this game will put the Women in Blue's campaign in peril.

With that in mind, Harmanpreet Kaur's girls need to step up in every department to keep their hopes alive in the T20 World Cup.

While the Indian fielding in their 58-run defeat to NZ was way below-par, it was the batting that was shambolic.

In a chase of 161, the likes of Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet looked all at sea, unable to deal with the two-paced pitch.