India vs Pakistan Match Prediction: Who will win today’s Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match?
Only one game into the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, India's campaign is already hanging by a thread. After a 58-run loss to New Zealand in their opening fixture, Harmanpreet Kaur and company face a race against the odds to make the semifinals from Group A.
As things currently stand, India are dead last in their group, with a net run rate of -2.9. The fact that Sri Lanka have lost both games will calm the Indian team's nerves slightly, but the Asia Cup final is still fresh in everyone's minds, and the slightest misstep will spell doom for them.
On Sunday, October 6, India will face off against Pakistan in the first game of a doubleheader at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Women in Blue have won four of their last five T20Is against their arch-rivals, including a comfortable win at the Asia Cup.
Pakistan, meanwhile, had a promising start to their 2024 Women's T20 World Cup campaign. They beat Sri Lanka by a fairly comfortable margin on the opening day of the competition and seem to be clicking as a unit. While qualification might not be a straightforward possibility, Fatima Sana and Co. can certainly put a massive dent in India's hopes.
India's squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, D Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajeevan Sajana.
Pakistan's squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan.
2024 Women's T20 World Cup: India desperate for win vs arch-rivals
India made plenty of mistakes against New Zealand. Their team selection was off the mark; the bowlers didn't hit the right areas and weren't used smartly by Harmanpreet Kaur; the batters couldn't get accustomed to the pace of the wicket in Dubai.
That said, though, India have a dominant head-to-head record against Pakistan, having beaten them in 12 of their 15 T20I meetings. The players will know their campaign is on the line on Sunday and can be expected to put their best foot forward.
Pakistan's bowling attack turned in an excellent display against Sri Lanka, and owing to their form, this contest might be closer than it has ever been in the past. But it's hard to see how the batting unit will hold up against the likes of Deepti Sharma, who is due a turnaround in fortunes on Sunday.
This encounter will be watched closely by fans of both teams. India are the favorites on paper, but Pakistan certainly have what it takes to pull off a famous win. While an upset could be on the cards, the Women in Blue can be backed to get the job done.
Prediction: India to win Match 7 of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup.