Pakistan women’s national cricket team vs india women’s national cricket team standings: In the women’s game, this fixture has traditionally been a rather one-sided affair, with India winning 12 out of the 15 games. Among the three losses, two have come in the T20 World Cup (2012 and 2016 editions). On paper, India just about has this game in the bag. But, if the first few days of the ongoing T20 World Cup have taught us anything, it is to throw the proverbial paper in the bin.

Pakistan has, for years, shown promise but fallen short in conversion. The team has gifted youngsters who have traditionally been plagued by a lack of adequate opportunities to convert impressive performances to entries in the ‘win’ column.

The year 2024 has brought a little more purpose to the side though. In 16 T20Is this year, Pakistan has won just five – the win against Sri Lanka two days prior, one against West Indies in Karachi, two in the Asia Cup against Nepal and UAE and the other a thrilling triumph against South Africa in Multan. That win over the Proteas came under newly appointed skipper Fatima Sana who is all of 22 and the youngest captain in this World Cup.

India women vs Pakistan women head-to-head in cricket

Pakistan women’s national cricket team vs india women’s national cricket team standings

An India vs Pakistan match in any tournament is an eagerly awaited one, but this one in Dubai on Sunday will be even more significant as a second loss for India will put them in a precarious position for semifinal qualification.

A win would give Harmanpreet Kaur’s team their first points and some room to breathe having lost their opener against New Zealand on Friday.

A win for Pakistan will not only give the fans rare bragging rights but also lift the team to the top of the table in Group A, arguably the tougher of the two halves of the tournament.

“When we take pressure, it doesn’t go in our favour,” she said in her pre-match press conference on Saturday. “We will try to be calm and handle the situation as well as we can.”

Sana said she was looking forward to the atmosphere that an India-Pakistan match brings, but her focus will be to ensure Pakistan play “attacking cricket”.

“I want our team to have batters who can punish the bowler from the first ball,” said the 22-year- old all-rounder, who was the player of the match against Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, India’s assistant coach Aavishar Salvi also called on his team to tackle their next challenge with a cool head.

Pitch and weather conditions

The early autumn Middle Eastern heat has been a talking point in the tournament and with this match being an early one, it will once again have an impact on the action.

The weather forecast for Sunday is hot and humid, with the temperature set to touch 37 degrees Celsius (98 F) and a chance of 42 percent humidity.

Pakistan women’s national cricket team vs india women’s national cricket team standings

India team news

India are unlikely to change the playing XI from their first match against New Zealand despite the big loss.

Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Yastika Bhatia (wicketkeeper), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan.

Pakistan team news

Despite a poor batting display, Pakistan will also stick to the same XI that brought them their first victory of the tournament against Sri Lanka.

Squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza (wicketkeeper), Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wicketkeeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan.

Form guide: India

India have not lived up to their reputation in their last two outings in the T20 format, with losses against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, but Kaur and her team will look to turn the tide in this all-important match.

• Last five T20 matches: L L W W W

Form guide: Pakistan

Pakistan have been unable to record consistent wins in recent years but will look to build on the positive result from their first match and possibly win only their second match against India in a World Cup.

• Last five T20 matches: W L W L L

Conclusion:

India and Pakistan have faced off on 15 occasions in the T20 format and the women in blue have won 12 of those matches. Their last match, at the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 also ended in an Indian win.

The last time Pakistan beat India was at the 2022 version of the Asia Cup, when all-rounder Nida Dar helped record a 13-run win.