Cricket

In the third match of the Women's Asia Cup Group B, Thailand Women faced off against Malaysia Women at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Bangladesh. Thailand won the toss and elected to bat first.Thailand's innings got off to a shaky start as Nannaphat Chaihan was dismissed for a duck in the second over. However, Nattaya Boochatham steadied the ship with a solid knock of 24 runs, including four boundaries. Nannapat Koncharoenkai also contributed 1 run, while Suwanan Khiaoto remained unbeaten on 0.Malaysia's bowlers were impressive, with Suabika Manivannan taking 1 wicket for 12 runs in her 2 overs. Ainna Hashim also bowled well, conceding just 10 runs in her 2 overs.In reply, Malaysia Women struggled to chase down Thailand's total of 26 runs. They lost wickets at regular intervals, with only Winifred Duraisingam (10) and Jamahidaya Intan (8) reaching double figures.Thailand's bowlers were equally impressive, with Onnicha Kamchomphu taking 2 wickets for 4 runs in her 2 overs. Suleeporn Laomi and Aphisara Suwanchonrathi also picked up 1 wicket each.In the end, Malaysia Women were bowled out for 18 runs in 10.2 overs, handing Thailand a comfortable 8-wicket victory.

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

Sneh Rana, the Indian women's cricket team's spin-bowling all-rounder, believes that the recent success of Rohit Sharma and his team in the T20 World Cup has instilled a renewed sense of self-assurance and determination within the women's squad. This newfound belief has fueled their ambition to secure their first-ever ICC trophy.The Women's Asia Cup, commencing in Sri Lanka on Friday, sees India once again as the top contenders to clinch the title. However, the real challenge for the team lies ahead in the T20 World Cup in October and the ODI World Cup, which they will host next year.Rana is confident that the Indian team, having come close to victory on several occasions, has put in immense effort to achieve success in a global tournament. She firmly believes that the elusive triumph is well within their reach."The Indian women's cricket team, if you look at the past 2-3 years, they are doing their best," Rana told PTI in an exclusive interview on Friday. "For (winning) the ICC trophy, let's take the men's (team's example), it took almost 10 years to get the trophy. They have been preparing and working hard for it for a long time.""To achieve something big, it will not happen overnight. It will take time. It will take a lot of sacrifices, a lot of struggle, a lot of things in between. But eventually, we will get there," Rana said.The players and coaches have recognized that fielding is a problematic area that needs improvement. However, according to Rana, the team is not lacking in determination to enhance their performance in this aspect of the game."When we play N number of matches, the chances of errors are more. But it doesn't mean that someone is bad at it. Obviously, as a player, when you are on the field, you want to always do your best for your country," she said."No one is there to say that it's okay, it will happen (ho jayega). (But) it could also be a matter of a bad day for someone.""As far as ICC trophies are concerned, for big events, the more matches we play, the more experience we will get," Rana said.Since her introduction to international cricket in 2014, Rana patiently waited for the opportunity to represent her country in the longest format of the game. After a prolonged period of seven years, she finally received her maiden Test cap. The right-arm off-spinner now reflects on her journey with pride, having featured in three more Test matches since her debut."I'm glad I got the opportunity. It had been a while, right? The scenario for Indian women's Test cricket is changing for good. The number of Tests we're getting to play now, it's the best opportunity for players.""The inclusion of a multi-day format in domestic cricket is also a big step from the BCCI to take this forward," Rana said.Since 2014, the team had not participated in any 'home' Tests for an extended period of nine years. However, since December 2023, they have emerged victorious in all three Tests they have played.Rana attributed the team's success to the players' exceptional fitness levels and remarkable endurance, which have been crucial factors in their recent triumphs."It's a matter of mindset. Obviously, you've been playing cricket for so long, the 50-overs and 20 overs. But the long formats that we used to have, the multi-days, that we played last in 2018," she said."You have to be on the field for four days, you need endurance for that. Fitness is very important and as a senior player, it's (even) more important because you have to be there all the time," said Rana, who took a 10-for against South Africa earlier this month in the Chennai Test."You have to guide your youngsters as well. It's a bit challenging. But lastly, it's all about the mindset," she said.The Women's Premier League has made the Indian players busier than before but its versatile nature will help in the longer run, Rana said."Since WPL came, we have become a bit more busy. I think the busier, the better. Cricket has got more exposure since WPL came. The match exposure is always good for a player.""The versatility that WPL brings on the table by sharing dressing rooms with the overseas players. (The) new-found talent of the country, (will bring) a refreshing change to women's cricket," she said.Rana's current focus is to regain her position in the white-ball squad, as she was not selected for the Asia Cup tournament. This presents a significant hurdle for her to overcome."I won't lie. It was a little heartbreaking to be dropped from the team. You want to play for India, be it Test cricket or white-ball cricket," she said."But at the same time, it has developed a hunger in me to rejoin the T20 format with my team or the 50-overs game. I'm eagerly waiting for the opportunity," she said."I know I have it in me and I have penned down my manifestation (too)," said Rana, who has played 25 T20Is and 27 ODIs.Rana expressed his approval of the extended tenure being given to the current head coach, Amol Muzumdar, compared to some of the coaches who came before him."Longevity and consistency in the side definitely helps, be it in the regards of coach or a player. With the amount of time one spends with the team, the knowledge about the player and the bonding within, that automatically increases," Rana said."He knows each and every player, their strengths... and how he can use that particular player in a match. At which moment, when and where he can use that player... he knows everything," Rana added.

Women's Asia Cup 2022: Nepal and UAE Kick Off Tournament in Rangiri DambullaThe Women's Asia Cup 2022, a prestigious continental cricket tournament, commenced today at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka. The opening match featured Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), two teams from Group A.Group A also includes defending champions India and arch-rivals Pakistan, setting the stage for intense competition. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, ensuring high-stakes matches throughout the tournament.Nepal, led by captain Rubina Chhetry, entered the match with a strong batting lineup featuring Indu Barma and Sita Rana Magar. The UAE, captained by Chaya Mughal, relied on their experienced bowlers, including Mahika Gaur and Esha Oza.The match began with Nepal winning the toss and electing to bat first. They posted a competitive total of 126 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Indu Barma top-scored for Nepal with a gritty 35 runs, while Sita Rana Magar contributed 27 runs.In response, the UAE struggled to chase down the target, eventually falling short by 20 runs. They were bowled out for 106 runs in 19.3 overs. Mahika Gaur was the standout performer for the UAE with both bat and ball, scoring 25 runs and taking 2 wickets.Nepal's victory in the opening match sets the tone for an exciting tournament ahead. The Women's Asia Cup 2022 promises to showcase the best of women's cricket in Asia, with talented players from across the continent vying for the coveted trophy.

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.

The upcoming Women's Asia Cup in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, presents a crucial opportunity for India to solidify their plans ahead of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October. As the defending champions, India aims to retain their title while addressing the conundrum of their number three batting position and determining the ideal batting order for Jemimah Rodrigues.Jemimah Rodrigues, India's former number three batter in T20Is, missed the T20I tour of Bangladesh due to a back injury. In her absence, all-rounder Dayalan Hemalatha has occupied the number three slot, showcasing her strong bottom-hand and big-hitting skills against spinners.The question remains: who will become India's number three batter in the Asia Cup? Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes it would be fair for Jemimah to return to her previous position. She highlights Jemimah's versatility as an opener and her ability to adapt to different batting positions.Despite being a long-time number three batter for India, Jemimah has demonstrated adaptability by scoring an unbeaten 53 off 30 balls as a number five batter in the series opener against South Africa at Chennai. Her power-packed shots and ability to move across the crease add firepower to the Indian middle-order.Anjum suggests that the number three position could depend on the team's starting lineup and the availability of an all-rounder. If India plays with an all-rounder, Jemimah could bat at three. However, if not, she could still occupy the position.Anjum personally prefers captain Harmanpreet Kaur to bat at number three but acknowledges that Harman may prefer her usual number four position. She emphasizes the importance of having Harman and Jemimah bat alongside each other, either at three and four or four and three.After the third T20I at Chennai, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana stated that playing Hemalatha at number three was a calculated move, potentially allowing Harmanpreet and Jemimah to remain at four and five respectively.However, Anjum believes that Hemalatha is not the ideal batter at number three, arguing that the team should field their best batter as early as possible. She suggests that Jemimah, Harman, or Richa Ghosh should be promoted to the top order, with Pooja Vastrakar potentially taking up a finisher role.

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.

Pakistan's women's cricket team, led by Nida Dar, has undergone a significant overhaul ahead of the Women's Asia Cup 2024. The squad, which will compete in Dambulla, Sri Lanka from July 19 to 28, features several notable changes from the team that struggled in England last month.Batters Ayesha Zafar and Sadaf Shamas have been omitted, while Iram Javed, Omaima Sohail, and Syeda Aroob Shah have been recalled. Rising star Tasmia Rubab, a 22-year-old left-arm fast bowler, has also earned her maiden international call-up.The changes reflect Pakistan's recent struggles, which have seen them endure a string of poor results over the past 18 months. Despite series wins against South Africa and New Zealand, the team has consistently underperformed, including a winless tour of England in May.The team's new head coach, Mohammad Wasim, has been tasked with turning things around, but he has only been given a short-term contract for the Asia Cup. Assistant coach Junaid Khan and spin-bowling coach Abdur Rehman will also serve in temporary roles.Despite the team's struggles, the PCB has yet to deliver on its promise of a women's T20 league in Pakistan. The league was originally promised by former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja in late 2022, but administrative changes have stalled progress.Pakistan's squad for the Women's Asia Cup 2024:* Nida Dar (capt)* Aliya Riaz* Diana Baig* Fatima Sana* Gull Feroza* Iram Javed* Muneeba Ali* Najiha Alvi* Nashra Sandhu* Omaima Sohail* Sadia Iqbal* Sidra Amin* Syeda Aroob Shah* Tasmia Rubab* Tuba Hassan