Cricket

Pakistan Elects to Bat First Against India in Women's Asia Cup OpenerIn the inaugural match of the 2024 Women's Asia Cup, Pakistan captain Nida Dar opted to bat first after winning the toss against India in Dambulla. The decision was influenced by the dry and used pitch, which had witnessed Nepal's victory over UAE earlier in the day.India made three alterations to their lineup from their previous encounter with South Africa. Richa Ghosh returned as wicketkeeper after recovering from a concussion, while Renuka Singh and D Hemalatha replaced Arundhati Reddy and Sajeevan Sajana. The bowling attack featured three spinners (Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, and Shreyanka Patil) and two pacers (Pooja Vastrakar and Renuka).Pakistan, on the other hand, fielded a spin-heavy side with Tuba Hassan, Sadia Iqbal, and Nashra Sandhu as frontline spinners. Syeda Aroob Shah and Dar provided additional spin options, while Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz handled the fast bowling duties.India holds a 5-1 advantage over Pakistan in Asia Cup matches, but Pakistan secured a victory in their last encounter in Sylhet in 2022.India's Playing XI:* Shafali Verma* Smriti Mandhana* D Hemalatha* Harmanpreet Kaur (c)* Jemimah Rodrigues* Richa Ghosh (wk)* Deepti Sharma* Pooja Vastrakar* Shreyanka Patil* Radha Yadav* Renuka Thakur SinghPakistan's Playing XI:* Sidra Ameen* Gull Feroza* Muneeba Ali (wk)* Nida Dar (c)* Aliya Riaz* Iram Javed* Fatima Sana* Tuba Hassan* Sadia Iqbal* Nashra Sandhu* Syeda Aroob Shah

Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur faced an unusual question during a joint-captains' press conference ahead of the Asia Cup 2024. A reporter inquired about the perceived lack of support for women's cricket, citing the recent tour of Bangladesh as an example.Harmanpreet, initially confused by the question, responded with a mix of amusement and bewilderment. "Well, that's none of my business," she said with a smile. "You guys have to come and cover us."The reporter's question sparked laughter from Sri Lanka women's team skipper Chamari Athapaththu. Harmanpreet emphasized that the media's role is crucial in promoting women's cricket."We always enjoy playing against Pakistan, but each team is important," Harmanpreet said about India's opening match against Pakistan. "We want to play good cricket and follow the same method."As the defending champions, India is determined to retain the Asia Cup title. "The challenge will be to keep doing the right things, keep playing the same type of cricket, and keep dominating other teams," Harmanpreet said.The Indian skipper highlighted the importance of the tournament in preparing for the T20 World Cup. "Each and every game is important for us, and we will try to give our best," she added.Harmanpreet's response to the question about media coverage underscores the need for increased attention and support for women's cricket. The media plays a vital role in raising awareness, inspiring young girls, and promoting the growth of the sport.

The Women's Asia Cup 2023 kicks off with a highly anticipated clash between defending champions India and arch-rivals Pakistan on Friday. The tournament serves as a crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in October.India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, enters the competition as the team to beat. They have won the Asia Cup three times in the T20 format and four times in the 50-over format. Their record against Pakistan in T20Is is also impressive, with 11 wins in 14 matches.Pakistan, on the other hand, has undergone a significant squad overhaul since their disappointing tour of England in May. They will be short on game-time and confidence, but they will be eager to prove their mettle against their arch-rivals.India's batting will be spearheaded by Smriti Mandhana, who has been in excellent form. The bowling attack has also been impressive, with pacers Pooja Vastrakar and Renuka Singh leading the charge. Spinners Radha Yadav, Deepti Sharma, and Shreyanka Patil provide depth and variety.Pakistan will rely on skipper Nida Dar, who is a seasoned campaigner. Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana are key players in the batting lineup, while Nashra Sandhu and Diana Baig are experienced bowlers.Group A also includes Nepal and the United Arab Emirates. Nepal is returning to the competition after a six-year absence, while UAE is making their second consecutive appearance. Both teams will be aiming to make an impact and qualify for the semifinals.The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, which will be played on October 11 and 12. The final is scheduled for October 14.

Indian Women's Cricketers Rise in ICC T20 RankingsIndian women's cricket team opener Shafali Verma and captain Harmanpreet Kaur have made significant strides in the latest ICC T20 rankings, released on Tuesday. Verma has climbed two positions to share the 15th rank with New Zealand's Amelia Kerr and England's Danni Wyatt, while Kaur has gained three places to occupy the 12th spot.Verma's impressive performances in the recently concluded series against South Africa have propelled her up the rankings. The young opener has been in scintillating form, scoring consistently and playing some eye-catching shots. Her ability to clear the boundary with ease has made her a formidable force in the Indian batting lineup.Kaur, who led India to a 2-1 series victory over South Africa, has also been rewarded for her consistent performances. The experienced all-rounder has been a key figure in the Indian team for many years, and her leadership and batting skills have been instrumental in their success.Smriti Mandhana, known for her aggressive batting style, remains the highest-ranked Indian batter, holding steady at the fifth position. Mandhana has been in excellent form in recent months, and her ability to score runs at a brisk pace has made her one of the most feared batters in the world.Among the bowlers, the experienced Deepti Sharma maintained her position at the third spot. Sharma has been a consistent performer for India, and her ability to bowl both spin and seam makes her a valuable asset to the team.Radha Yadav made significant progress, moving up eight places to reach the 15th rank. Yadav has been in impressive form in recent matches, and her ability to take wickets at crucial junctures has been a major factor in India's success.Pooja Vastrakar ascended six positions to secure the 23rd spot. Vastrakar has been a reliable all-rounder for India, and her ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made her a valuable member of the team.Shreyanka Patil also improved her standing, climbing nine places to occupy the 60th position. Patil has been a promising young bowler for India, and her recent performances have shown that she has the potential to become a top-class spinner.In other news, England spinner Sarah Glenn achieved a new career-high rating of 768 points. Glenn has taken eight wickets in the first four matches of England's ongoing T20I series at home against New Zealand. This achievement has allowed her to retain her position as the world's No.2 ranked T20I bowler.The only player ahead of Glenn in the ratings is her teammate and fellow spinner, Sophie Ecclestone, who also has eight scalps from the first four matches of the five-game series.

India's Women's Asia Cup campaign begins on July 19 with a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has emphasized the team's unwavering determination to secure victory in every match, regardless of the opponent.India's recent 3-0 ODI series sweep against South Africa and emphatic 10-wicket Test win have boosted their confidence. Despite a 1-1 draw in the subsequent T20I series, the team remains focused on their goal of winning the Asia Cup.Harmanpreet acknowledges the heightened atmosphere surrounding matches against Pakistan but stresses the importance of maintaining composure. "As a leader, it's my responsibility to make my team feel light in that environment," she said. "We have to focus on the main things and not think about the things we can't control."The team's positive mindset and unwavering belief in their abilities have been instrumental in their recent success. "We are giving equal importance to all matches," Harmanpreet added. "We all are very greedy to win every game."Batter Jemimah Rodrigues echoed her captain's sentiments, highlighting the team's unity and determination. "The enthusiasm is really high," she said. "We know we have the support of every single person backing us."All-rounder Deepti Sharma expressed her excitement for the tournament, emphasizing the team's collective goal of performing well. "Our only goal is to perform well as a team," she said. "We will back each other so that we perform well on the field for the further matches."India's Women's Asia Cup campaign promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with the team determined to showcase their skills and emerge victorious.

India's Women's Asia Cup title defense will rely on a familiar core group. The squad selected for the tournament mirrors the 17-member roster currently facing South Africa in the ongoing T20I series, with Amanjot Kaur and Shabnam Shakil being the only omissions.Shweta Sehrawat, Saika Ishaque, Tanuja Kanwar, and Meghna Singh will serve as traveling reserves as India embarks on its journey to Sri Lanka, the host nation and the team they defeated in the 2022 edition.India's batting lineup boasts a formidable top order, featuring the explosive Shafali Verma and the experienced Smriti Mandhana, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur providing stability in the middle order. Richa Ghosh and Uma Chetry will share wicketkeeping duties.Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma's all-round abilities offer versatility to the team management, allowing them to adjust the XI based on conditions. India's first match in the Asia Cup will be against arch-rivals Pakistan on July 19. They will also face UAE and Nepal in the group stage, aiming to secure a spot in the knockout rounds.Dambulla will host all 15 matches of the tournament, including the semi-finals and the final. The Asia Cup serves as a crucial preparation for India ahead of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.

India's women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, chose to bowl first after winning the toss in the opening T20I against South Africa in Chennai. The decision was influenced by the black-soil Chepauk surface, which Kaur believed would assist spin bowling.India opted for a three-pronged spin attack, including left-arm spinner Radha Yadav, who was the Player of the Series in Bangladesh, along with Asha Sobhana and Deepti Sharma. Offspinner Shreyanka Patil was surprisingly omitted from the XI.In the batting department, D Hemalatha was given an opportunity to cement her position at No. 3 in the absence of the injured Yastika Bhatia. Richa Ghosh played her 50th T20I in the match.South Africa, led by Laura Wolvaardt, were not disheartened by having to bat first. They welcomed the return of allrounder Chloe Tryon, who had missed the earlier part of the tour due to a back injury. Opener Tazmin Brits also made her comeback after missing the Test due to illness.The series is crucial for both teams as they prepare for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October. While India will participate in the Women's Asia Cup later this month, this could be South Africa's final series before the World Cup.India are aiming to complete a clean sweep of the tour, having already won the ODI series 3-0 and the one-off Test in Chennai last week.

India's skipper Harmanpreet Kaur emphasizes the significance of the ongoing series against South Africa in preparing for the Women's ODI World Cup next year. The series provides an opportunity for the team to adapt to different home venues and capitalize on familiar conditions.Harmanpreet highlights the importance of gaining experience on various home wickets, as India has limited experience playing at home. She believes this series will boost their confidence and provide valuable insights into the behavior of the wickets and the combinations that can be used for the World Cup.Despite the overcast weather and scattered rain forecast in Chennai, Harmanpreet remains optimistic about the Chepauk track. She notes that it is not entirely different from the wickets in Mumbai, where they played their previous two Tests. The team has been practicing for the last three days, which Harmanpreet believes will be beneficial during the match.Harmanpreet expresses confidence in the team's bowling department, which includes Arundhati Reddy, Smriti Mandhana, and herself. She acknowledges Reddy's versatility and her ability to contribute with the bat as well. Harmanpreet also indicates that she and Mandhana are willing to bowl if necessary.The Indian captain credits head coach Amol Muzumdar for helping her adapt to the Test format, despite her limited experience. She praises the BCCI for its efforts in promoting women's cricket, including the return of red-ball cricket to the domestic calendar.Harmanpreet expresses gratitude for the opportunity to play Test cricket and hopes for a positive result in the upcoming match against South Africa. She believes the team is well-prepared and eager to deliver.

Smriti Mandhana Slips in ICC ODI Rankings, Harmanpreet Kaur RisesSmriti Mandhana, India's vice-captain, has dropped one position to fourth in the latest ICC women's ODI batting rankings, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed two spots to ninth. Mandhana, with 738 rating points, maintains her top 10 position after an impressive performance against South Africa, amassing 343 runs in the three-match series.South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt continues her ascent towards the top spot, jumping three places to second. She now trails England's No.1 ranked batter Nat Sciver-Brunt by just 16 rating points. Wolvaardt's brilliant unbeaten 135 in the second game of the series in Bengaluru was a standout performance, which she followed up with a solid 65 in the final match.Marizanne Kapp, Wolvaardt's teammate, climbs two spots to seventh on the ODI batters list, while Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues (up four places to 29th) also makes progress after solid performances against South Africa.In the ODI bowlers rankings, South Africa spinner Nonkululek Mlaba (up five places to joint 22nd) makes significant strides following her four wickets in the series against India. Sri Lankan players Kavisha Dilhari (up eight places to 34th) and Udeshika Prabodhani (up six spots to 22nd) also improve their rankings after impressive performances in their series against the West Indies. India's Deepti Sharma, however, remains unchanged at the fourth position with 671 rating points.