Harmanpreet Kaur-led India Women will begin their T20 World Cup 2023 campaign with a blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Pakistan at Newlands, Cape Town on February 12. As the runners up get ready to go up against Pakistan, one record is unlikely to remain unbroken until and unless one player hits a big century.
Currently, former Indian skipper Mithali Raj holds the record for most runs in India vs Pakistan World Cup encounters. Raj featured in all six World Cup games between the two. She has scored 170 runs from six innings at an average of 34 including a half-century.
Apart from Mithali, only one Indian batter has scored a half-century against Pakistan in the tournament. Punam Raut who is not a part of the squad is on the only other Indian on the list.
For Pakistan, former skipper Sana Mir has the most runs. She scored 80 runs from six encounters at an average of 13.33 with high score of 35.
Nida Dar and Bismah Maroof are two other batters who have scored a fifty each against India in the tournament. Both Dar and Maroof are a part of the squad. All-rounder Dar scored 77 runs from five innings at an average of 25.66 whereas Maroof has 71 runs from six appearances at an average of 11.83.
The encounters over the years
The first encounter at T20 World Cup between the two teams was played in 2009. India beat Pakistan by five wickets with 14 balls remaining. In the next edition, India won while chasing again.
However, in 2012 edition of the tournament Pakistan registered their first win beating India by just one run in a low-scoring encounter at Galle. In the next edition, India got back to winning ways with a narrow six-run win.
In 2016 edition, Pakistan stunned hosts India in a rain-marred contest at Delhi. Pakistan won the game by just two runs while chasing by DLS method. In 2018 edition, Pakistan batters Maroof and Dar scored half-centuries but the 134-run target was chased down with six balls to spare and seven wickets in hand.
