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Match Details
Date: 6 March 2022
Time: 6:30 AM IST
Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Ball-by-ball Commentary: SportsTiger App
Preview:
India and Pakistan go head to head in the most anticipated match of the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup. This historic rivalry gets another installment at the scenic Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty. Both teams have comfortably won all their warmup games. Pakistan defeated the hosts New Zealand by four wickets and then edged out Bangladesh in a seven-run victory. Whereas India took down South Africa in a nail-biting win by two runs. Then the Women in Blue defeated West Indies by 81-runs.
Pitch report
The pitch at the Bay Oval has often favoured the batters with true bounce where the ball comes onto the bat well. But the pacers could make early inroads with the movement available early on in the innings. The ground has allowed some big totals as 260 is a competitive score at the venue. The winner of the toss would want to bat first and make the best of the conditions.
Analysis:
India:
The Indian team led by Mithali Raj enter the tournament as one of the favourites. India’s top-order of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Mithali Raj could provide huge dividends for the team. Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj have been in the ICC Rankings. Similarly, both batters are averaging close to 50 in ODIs.
But the biggest key player from team India will be Harmanpreet Kaur with her all-round skill and ability. Kaur has been one most clutch players and also scored a century against South Africa. All-rounders like Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar can also be influential. Veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami will spearhead the Indian bowling attack.
Pakistan
Nashra Sandhu, the left-arm spinner, has been the top bowler throughout the warmup games, especially against Bangladesh. Sandhu took four crucial wickets and bowled at an economy of 3.20. She could be Pakistan’s main bowler alongside Fatima Sana and Ghulam Fatima. Javeria Khan has been the best batter in the Pakistan team as she had a great performance in both the warm-up games. Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz could be crucial players for Pakistan.
Playing XI
India:
Mithali Raj (captain), Harmanpreet Kaur (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Smriti Mandhana, Sneh Rana, Richa Ghosh (wicket-keeper), Jhulan Goswami, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Pooja Vastrakar, Poonam Yadav.
Pakistan:
Nahida Khan, Sidra Ameen, Javeria Khan, Bismah Maroof (captain), Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Diana Baig, Aiman Anwer, Nashra Sandhu, Anam Amin.
Match Prediction:
Conclusion:
India is looking like the superior team and is the favourite to win this game against Pakistan. With Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur in form, the Women in Blue could dominate the Pakistani bowling and register India’s first victory in the 2022 World Cup.
