Three crucial matches are set to take place in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. At Headingley, Leeds, Australia will first take on Bangladesh before India face the Netherlands. Meanwhile, at Edgbaston in Birmingham, Pakistan will lock horns with South Africa.
Both Australia and the Women in Blue will be aiming to make it two wins in two matches to strengthen their grip on the semi-final race. Meanwhile, a huge clash awaits in Birmingham, with both Pakistan and South Africa coming into the contest after losing their respective World Cup openers.
Head-to-head
India vs Netherlands
This will be the first-ever match between the two sides.
Australia vs Bangladesh
Total matches played: 5
Australia won: 5
Bangladesh won: 0
Pakistan vs South Africa
Total matches played: 27
Pakistan won: 12
South Africa won: 15
Current standings
Group A
Australia – 1st, 2 points from 1 match (1 win), NRR +3.250
India – 2nd, 2 points from 1 match (1 win), NRR +3.200
Bangladesh – 3rd, 2 points from 1 match (1 win), NRR +0.407
Netherlands – 4th, 0 points from 1 match (1 loss), NRR -0.407
Pakistan – 5th, 0 points from 1 match (1 loss), NRR -3.200
South Africa – 6th, 0 points from 1 match (1 loss), NRR -3.250
Players to watch out for
India vs Netherlands
For India, veteran all-rounder Deepti Sharma will once again be crucial. After picking up five wickets and scoring a few important runs in her partnership with Richa Ghosh lower down the order against Pakistan, Deepti will be keen to continue her fine form.
For the Netherlands, leg-spinner Caroline de Lange could be one to watch. In the first game, she picked up two wickets in quick succession and the Bangladesh batters found her difficult to handle.
Australia vs Bangladesh
Just like India’s Deepti Sharma, Australia’s leg-spinning all-rounder Georgia Wareham will look to carry forward the momentum she gained in the first game against South Africa. After scoring 32 off 22 balls and then claiming three wickets, Wareham will look to trouble the Bangladesh batting line-up once again.
Sharmin Akhter could be the player to watch from Bangladesh. Against the Netherlands, she showed calmness and composure with an unbeaten 37 off 32 balls to guide her side to a successful chase of 140.
Pakistan vs South Africa
Muneeba Ali was one of the few bright spots for Pakistan in the clash against India. She looked confident during her knock of 41 and played some delightful shots. Behind the stumps too, she displayed excellent reflexes, particularly against the spinners.
India’s spinners troubled Pakistan and, therefore, Nonkululeko Mlaba could be a key weapon for South Africa in this contest. She picked up two wickets in the opening game at an economy rate of 5.50.
Pitch and Weather
At Headingley, Leeds, two matches will be played — Australia versus Bangladesh in the morning, followed by India versus the Netherlands in the afternoon. According to AccuWeather, there is a slight chance of a couple of showers in the morning. Otherwise, conditions are expected to remain mostly cloudy, with no significant rain forecast.
The Headingley surface generally assists seamers, especially with the new ball. If cloud cover persists, conditions are likely to become even more favourable for them. As the innings progresses, batting may become easier. However, all eyes will be on the India-Netherlands clash to see whether the pitch slows down later in the day, potentially making the toss a crucial factor.
The other game between South Africa and Pakistan will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Although the match is scheduled for the evening, there is a possibility of several showers earlier in the day, particularly during the afternoon. During match time, however, conditions are expected to be mostly cloudy. Whether the earlier rain impacts the pitch remains to be seen.
The Edgbaston surface is expected to offer a balanced contest between bat and ball. Set batters should find scoring easier, while spinners could come into play during the second innings.
Probable Playing XIs
India
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Nandni Sharma, N Sree Charani, Arundhati Reddy
Netherlands
Heather Siegers, Phebe Molkenboer, Babette de Leede (c/wk), Sterre Kalis, Robine Rijke, Sanya Khurana, Frederique Overdijk, Iris Zwilling, Caroline de Lange, Silver Siegers, Isabel van der Woning
Australia
Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (c), Kim Garth, Alana King
Bangladesh
Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (c/wk), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla, Fariha Trisna
Pakistan
Muneeba Ali (wk), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Saira Jabeen, Natalia Pervaiz, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana (c), Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Tasmia Rubab
South Africa
Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka
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