Upbeat India aiming another positive result

India Women vs Pakistan Women, 7th Match, Group B

Series: ICC Womens World T20, 2016 Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi Date & Time: Mar 19,  03:30 PM  LOCAL

HAPPY BUNCH: Indian captain Mithali Raj (centre) sharing a laugh with teammates Veda Krishnamurthy and Vellaswamy Vanitha ahead of the match against Pakistan.

 T20 World Cup 2016

The Indian women’s cricket team would be hoping to continue its winning streak when it takes on neighbour Pakistan in its second Group B match at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium here on Saturday.

Like the men, it would be a battle between Pakistan bowling and Indian batting here as well. “We have a very good bowling and fielding side but need to be more consistent in our batting. I think the pressure will be on both teams tomorrow and it will be a good contest,” Pakistan captain Sana Mir said on the eve of the match.

While Asmaviya Iqbal would lead the team’s pace battery, youngster Anam Amin has been impressive with left-arm spin.

Opener Javeria Khan, hit in the previous game against West Indies, has flown back and the team has called up Ayesha Zafar as replacement. “Javeria has been one of the outstanding players for Pakistan and her absence does affect us. Even in the previous game it was difficult to continue with the same momentum after she was hurt,” Sana admitted.

While Pakistan lost by four runs in its opener, India registered a comprehensive 72-run victory against Bangladesh. India skipper Mithali, though, isn’t taking it easy.

“The girls are confident but it all depends on the kind of wicket and the start you get, whether with the bat or ball, and the momentum you generate in the first few overs,” Mithali said.

Mithali, Vanitha, Harpannpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and Veda Krishnamurthy have led the Indian batting. “Personally, I am happy that I did what was expected of me as an opener. I want to continue and be consistent in that role because in T20s, openers need to do well to avoid pressure on the middle,” Mithali, who top-scored with 42, said.

The teams (from): India: Mithali Raj, Ekta Bisht, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami, Thirush Kamini, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy, Smriti Mandhana, Niranjana Nagarajan, Shikha Pandey, Anuja Patil, Poonam Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Vanitha Vellaswamy and Sushma Verma.

Pakistan: Sana Mir, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Asmaviya Iqbal, Ayesha Zafar, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Nain Abidi, Nida Dar, Sadia Yousuf, Sidra Ameen and Sidra Nawaz.

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